Cyril Ramaphosa has been confirmed as the new President of South Africa on Thursday just hours after the scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma resigned from office.
Ramaphosa, the leader of the ruling African National Congress party since December, was the only candidate nominated during a session of parliament. The announcement was met with cheers by some members of the National Assembly in Cape Town, though members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party walked out of the chamber in protest during the debate.
“I truly feel humbled to have been given this great privilege of being able to serve our people,” Ramaphosa said in an address to members of parliament moments after he was confirmed as President.
He pledged to act as a “servant of our people” and said he intended to lead with “humility, faithfulness and dignity.”
“I will try to work very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa,” Ramaphosa added.
