WATCH: Starstruck learner’s greeting to President Ramaphosa goes viral: ‘Hello, Cupcake!’

A learner's reaction to seeing President Cyril Ramaphosa for the first time is tugging on South African heartstrings.

Abenathi Ntshotsho, a Grade 7 learner from iKaya Primary School, had the honour of introducing the President at the 7th Social Justice Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, 17 October. 

She was invited to read the preamble of the Constitution in isiXhosa and immediately stole everyone’s hearts.

Before reading the preamble, she turned to the President with complete excitement and said:
“It’s my first time seeing the President… Hello, Cupcake!”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and the President took the unofficial nickname in good spirits. 

The Head of Digital Communications for the President, Athi Geleba, later shared a picture of Ntshotsho officially meeting the President. 

To listen to executive producer Jonathan Fairbairn discuss the moment with 702’s Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: