Ramaphosa says he's ready to lead SA for a second term
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he went through a rigorous interviewing process to be the African National Congress (ANC)'s presidential candidate in this year’s election.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament at the Cape Town City Hall on 8 February 2024. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says he's ready to lead the country for a second term as head of state and to see out another five years in office.
After an independent panel report found in 2022 that he may have a case to answer over the theft of US dollars from his Phala Phala farm, it was said Ramaphosa was ready to throw in the towel on his presidency.
But speaking at the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, Ramaphosa displayed an air of confidence that he will most definitely be back after this year’s election.
The president said he went through a rigorous interviewing process to be the African National Congress (ANC)'s presidential candidate in this year’s election.
He said the panel of ten went as far as to inquire about his financial situation.
"Does that mean I'm being asked to do a second term - the answer is yes, and I will do precisely that, if you don’t mind."
Having started his own political party, Ramaphosa said he now viewed his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, as a political opponent.
But he doesn’t see Zuma’s new MK Party as a threat to the ANC’s election chances.
"Despite the predictions of many in media circles and political analysts and so forth, yes you will see me back in the very position that I occupy."
Ramaphosa, however, once again played it coy about setting an election date, saying he was sticking to the 15-day time frame announced last week.