The African National Congress (ANC) today sworn in Cyril Ramaphosa as re-elected President of South Africa with a ceremony at the Government Palace in the capital.

According to the Minister of the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the South African Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic must be sworn in within five days of his election by the National Assembly (Parliament).

Last Saturday 15 Ramaphosa received 283 votes from newly elected MPs in the 29 May general election, against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who received only 44 votes from legislators.

The inauguration ceremony is expected to bring together South Africans from all backgrounds, walks of life and political orientations, united in the country’s characteristic national diversity.

It will also be an occasion to highlight how the seventh administration will be led by a Government of National Unity, which, although composed of more than three parties, will in practice be led by an understanding between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (the second largest political force), Ntshavheni said.

According to the minister, national and foreign dignitaries, including heads of state and government, are invited to the ceremony at the Union Building (government palace).

Among others in attendance is Cuban Vice-President Salvador Valdés.

According to the programme, Ramaphosa will deliver his inaugural address.

Absent from the ceremony will be the uMkhonto we Sizwe party (MK, currently South Africa’s third largest political force), which is strongly opposed to the establishment of a governing alliance between the ANC and the DAs.