Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African politician, former trade union leader, businessman, and the current President of South Africa. This article explores his early life, role in ending apartheid, business career, presidency, controversies, and illustrative quotes.

Introduction

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born November 17, 1952) is a prominent South African politician, businessman, activist, and the country’s President since 2018.

His long trajectory—from student activism, trade union leadership, and anti-apartheid negotiation to corporate enterprise and political leadership—makes him one of the pivotal figures in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democratic rule. As president, he has faced persistent challenges: economic inequality, corruption within the African National Congress (ANC), energy crises, land reform, and governance scrutiny.

This article traces Ramaphosa’s life, his rise in politics and business, his presidency, controversies, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Early Life and Education

Cyril Ramaphosa was born in Soweto, Johannesburg on 17 November 1952 to Venda parents.

He attended Tshilidzi Primary School, Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto, and later matriculated in 1971 from Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa (Venda region).

In 1972, he enrolled to study law at the University of the North (Turfloop).

Because of his activism in that period, he was detained in 1974 under the Terrorism Act (Section 6) for organizing rallies supporting the Mozambican liberation movement. He spent 11 months in solitary confinement.

These early experiences formed his political consciousness, sharpened his resolve against injustice, and aligned him with the broader anti-apartheid struggle.

Anti-apartheid Activism & Trade Union Leadership

After completing his studies, Ramaphosa began his political working in the trade union and civic arenas.

• In 1982, he was tasked with helping establish a union for mineworkers under the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA). That gave birth to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in December 1982, with Ramaphosa as its first Secretary-General.

• Under his leadership, NUM’s membership grew dramatically—from about 6,000 at inception to more than 300,000 by the early 1990s—earning it major political leverage within the anti-apartheid movement.

• He played a key role in forming COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) and aligning labor activism with broader political struggle.

In 1991, Ramaphosa was elected Secretary-General of the ANC, under President Nelson Mandela. During the early 1990s, he served as ANC’s chief negotiator in constitutional talks that dismantled apartheid.

After South Africa’s first fully democratic elections in 1994, he chaired the Constitutional Assembly, which finalized the post-apartheid constitution.

However, in 1996, disillusioned with internal party politics, he resigned from politics and moved into business.

Business Career (1996 – 2012)

During his hiatus from formal politics, Ramaphosa built a substantial career in business and investment.

• He founded Shanduka Group, a diversified investment holding company with interests in mining, energy, real estate, banking, insurance, and telecommunications.

• He served on boards or chaired major companies: Bidvest, MTN, Mondi, Lonmin, Alexander Forbes, Macsteel, and others.

• He also acquired the master franchise rights for McDonald’s South Africa for 145 outlets over 20 years.

• Over time, his net worth climbed, and he was seen as one of South Africa’s wealthiest Black business figures.

His business success gave him both credibility and resources, but also later exposed him to scrutiny over conflicts of interest when he reentered politics.

Return to Politics & Rise to Presidency

Reengagement & Deputy Presidency

In December 2012, Ramaphosa reentered the ANC’s upper echelons, being elected Deputy President of the party. Deputy President of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma.

Because of prevailing corruption scandals and weakening of Zuma’s authority, Ramaphosa positioned himself as a reformist within ANC ranks.

Leadership of the ANC & Becoming President

At the ANC’s 54th National Conference in December 2017, Ramaphosa defeated Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to become President of the ANC. President of South Africa (15 February 2018).

He won his first full term after the 2019 general election, and in June 2024 was re-elected as president following coalition agreements when the ANC lost its outright majority.

As president, Ramaphosa has emphasized anti-corruption, institutional reform, land expropriation without compensation, economic revitalization, investments, job creation, and recovery from load-shedding (power outages).

He also assumed co-chairship of the International Labour Organization’s “Commission on the Future of Work” in May 2018.

Challenges, Controversies & Criticism

Ramaphosa’s presidency, like any in modern politics, has been contested and scrutinized. Some of the key issues include:

Corruption, State Capture & Ethical Scrutiny

• Ramaphosa inherited a government with serious issues of corruption and state capture (where private actors influence state institutions). He pledged to address these.

• The Phala Phala scandal (2020): Alleged theft of large sums of cash from his game farm, and questions about whether he attempted to bribe or obstruct justice. Investigations were opened, and in October 2024, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority announced it would not prosecute him.

• The Marikana massacre (2012): While Ramaphosa was a non-executive director at Lonmin at the time, critics hold he bore some responsibility for his involvement in calls for action against striking miners, which ended with police killing 34 miners.

Land Reform & Expropriation Without Compensation

Land redistribution remains a deeply contested issue in South Africa. Ramaphosa supports expropriation without compensation as a tool—but insists it be done constitutionally and safely to prevent destabilizing property rights.

Expectations vs Reality & Economic Struggles

Persistent issues in South Africa—high unemployment, inequality, energy crisis, infrastructure failure, and financial constraints—pose major headwinds. Many observers argue that Ramaphosa’s reformist vision is incremental, and results have lagged.

Personal Allegations & Reputation Risks

In 2017, during his campaign for ANC leadership, leaked emails revealed extramarital affairs; he admitted to an affair but denied multiple liaisons. He was nicknamed “Cupcake” in reference to those emails.

These controversies have eroded some public trust, but Ramaphosa’s resilience and efforts to project reform still define his political brand.

Philosophy, Style & Leadership Approach

Ramaphosa is often described as more technocratic, consensus-oriented, and less flamboyant compared to some predecessors. Some features of his leadership and philosophy:

• Moderation & dialogue: He emphasizes inclusivity, internal reform, and less confrontational politics.

• Rule of law & accountability: He often stresses that “no one is above the law” and that corruption must be rooted out.

• Gradual transformation: He favors incremental change rather than radical overhaul, balancing urgency with institutional stability.

• Investor confidence & growth orientation: Ramaphosa sees South Africa as needing to attract investment and support entrepreneurship to drive jobs.

• Symbolic alignment with Mandela’s legacy: He often frames his leadership as continuing Mandela’s vision for justice, equality, and unity.

Though he is no longer a militant activist, his roots in anti-apartheid struggle shape his rhetoric and self-conception.

Notable Quotes of Cyril Ramaphosa

Here are several memorable statements that reflect his views and rhetoric:

“We can make this country the garden of Eden.”

“If we are not honest, we are not going to be able to forge unity.”

“When I was appointed deputy president, I accepted it, and it is the president’s prerogative to appoint or remove anyone to the Executive.”

“We want to clean up South Africa so that we can begin to make it more attractive to investors but at the same time to deal with the issues that are impeding growth.”

“No one, no family, is above the law.”

“To those who have been stealing government money, it has to come to an end.”

“New schools, hospitals, clinics, factories, bridges, dams, and airports tell the story of a South Africa that has indeed moved forward.”

These quotes underscore his emphasis on honesty, development, accountability, unity, and reform.

Lessons from Ramaphosa’s Journey

• Balance idealism and pragmatism: His path shows that principled stances must contend with institutional constraints and political compromise.

• The weight of legacy matters: Operating in the shadow of Mandela and amid post-apartheid expectations is a heavy burden for any leader.

• Integrity is tested, not declared: Though he speaks about anti-corruption and accountability, controversies like Phala Phala remind us that actions matter more than words.

• Progress is incremental, not instantaneous: Structural transformation in deeply unequal societies takes time, patience, and persistence.

• Public trust is fragile: Even well-intended leaders must remain vigilant about personal conduct and transparency.

Conclusion

Cyril Ramaphosa’s life epitomizes many of South Africa’s contradictions and aspirations: activism and compromise; business acumen and political leadership; high expectations and difficult realities. As president, he continues to walk a tightrope—pushing for reform in a constrained context, seeking to restore confidence in institutions, and navigating scandals and crises.

His story reminds us that leadership in transitional societies is rarely glamorous; it is messy, contested, and unsatisfying at times. Yet the ideals of unity, accountability, and economic inclusion that Ramaphosa espouses remain compelling goals for a nation still wrestling with its past.