Ramaphosa's re-election met with mixed reaction
While opposition parties slammed the ANC and stayed out of the Government of National Unity, they congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election as president.
ANC Members of Parliament congratulate President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June 2024. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Political parties have reacted positively to President Cyril Ramaphosa's re-election.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has described it as a "new chapter" of building and developing the country while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it's a reflection of the country's democracy.
Ramaphosa was re-elected on Friday after receiving 283 votes against Julius Malema's 44 votes.
While opposition parties slammed the ANC and stayed out of the Government of National Unity (GNU), they have congratulated Ramaphosa on his re-election.
READ: Ramaphosa re-elected as president
DA Leader John Steenhuisen said that it is now time for parties to step up.
"Despite the political party T-shirts that we wore during the election, each and every one of us is first a South African. Our country needs us now to step up," Steenhuisen.
Malema said the EFF accepts the results of Friday's vote but slammed the ANC and DA's political arrangement.
"We also accept the results of today's gathering because it's a display of a democratic practices. but we contested because we wanted to demonstrate to South Africa that we do not agree to this marriage of convenience to consolidate the white monopoly power over the economy and means of production in South Africa," said Malema.