Prior to being elected as the President of South Africa in 2018, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was widely known as an anti-apartheid activist, a trade union leader, a businessman as well as the Chairman of the National Planning Commission (2014-2018).

Biography

Ramaphosa was born on 17th November, 1952 in Soweto, Johannesburg to Venda parents. He is the second of three children. He attended Tshilidzi Primary School and Sekano Ntoane High School, both located in Soweto.

After completing his High School Education, Ramaphosa registered to study law at the University of the North (Turfloop) in the Limpopo Province in 1972.

During his study at the University, he got actively involved in student politics and joined the South African Students Organisation (SASO) and the Black People’s Convention (BPC). His active roles in the aforementioned groups led to his detention under solitary confinement in 1974.

After completing his legal education, Ramaphosa joined the Council of South Africa (COSA) as an advisor in legal affairs. In August 1982, CUSA moved to form National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Ramaphosa became its first secretary.

He held the position as secretary until his resignation in June 1991, following his election as the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC). Under his leadership, membership of ANC grew markedly from 6000 to 300,000.

Ramaphosa served as the Chairman of the National Reception Committee which made arrangements for the release of Nelson Mandela as well as the subsequent rallies which followed Mandela’s release from prison.

Ramaphosa became the head of the negotiation team of the ANC during negotiations with the National Party government to bring an end to apartheid.

Ramaphosa was appointed as the Deputy President of South Africa by Jacob Zuma on 25 May, 2014.

On 18th December 2017, Ramaphosa was elected President of the ANC Party after he defeated Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the ex-wife of President Zuma by 2440 votes to 2661.

Following Jacob Zuma’s resignation as the President of South Africa in February 2018, Ramaphosa was elected unopposed as the President by the National Assembly on 15th February, 2018.

Age

Ramaphosa is 68 years old.

Wife

Ramaphosa has been married to Hope Ramaphosa (1978-1989), the late Nomazizi Mtshotshisa (1991-1993). He is presently married to Tshepo Motsepe whom he married in 1996. Tshepo is the sister of South African billionaire, Patrice Motsepe.

Children

Ramaphosa is known to have five children.

Cars

Ramaphosa is known to be one of the richest people in South Africa, with an estimated net worth of $450,000,000. However, he appears not to have a taste for luxurious/expensive vehicles.