Tag Archive for: Cyril Ramaphosa

Andrew Stegmann

South Africa Stronger With Cyril?

If last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is anything to go by, South Africans have a little bit more to be positive about heading into 2018.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the recently-elected President of the country’s ruling ANC, represented South Africa at the Forum, and presented a much more optimistic outlook than citizens have become accustomed to over the past few years.

Over the 4 days, Ramaphosa had an opportunity to engage with politicians and global business leaders, and present the case for forming partnerships with South Africa going forward. And he seized it.

Ramaphosa conveyed the sense that the country’s future is strong, with his focus being on unity, wise budgeting, and ridding the country of the corruption that has plagued it for so many years.

As a result, the nation’s credit rating is less likely to be lowered, and the rand has been trading stronger than usual, pushing past R12.00 to the dollar in the middle of last week, for the first time since May 2015 (although this is in part due to the weaker dollar).

The new ANC leadership has a chance to implement bold changes to the way South Africa is managed heading towards the 2019 general elections. These will, if Ramaphosa’s performance and outlook thus far are indications of what is to come, be for the betterment of all South Africans, and a very welcome shift in direction.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Source: [1]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

Ramaphosa May Announce State Capture Prosecution Process

Newly-elected ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce a special prosecution process on state capture during his keynote speech on 13 January.

Insiders allege that Ramaphosa wants the ANC National Executive Committee to resolve on Wednesday that a special prosecutions team on state capture be established to commence work immediately, with the decision being announced by him when he delivers the ANC birthday message in East London this coming Saturday.

Ramaphosa is buoyed by a North Gauteng High Court decision to grant him the powers to appoint the National Director of Public Prosecution, after it nullified President Jacob Zuma’s appointment of Shaun Abrahams to the position.

Ramaphosa and the rest of the ANC top six are currently in KwaZulu-Natal, where they are meeting with Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, and possibly discussing the viability President Zuma’s stepping down from his role before the end of his second term.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

Source: [1]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

Fresh Bid to Oust Zuma

President Jacob Zuma has until Tuesday 9 January to step down as head of state, or risk facing yet another motion of no confidence vote.

The President has already survived two motions of no confidence in the NEC, as well as eight in Parliament. This time, however, he will no longer be the leader of the ANC, and members in the Ramaphosa camp may be more willing to vote against the President, without fear of reprisal.

As it stands, Zuma may face a choice between voluntarily resigning, or facing public embarrassment by being forced out by his fellow party members, on public television. Either way, he would be vacating his position over a year earlier than he would have had he been able to complete his second term as President.

The economy has performed poorly during Zuma’s time as leader of South Africa, and credit ratings have been downgraded over the years, negatively impacting foreign investment, and therefore the livelihood of all of the country’s citizens.

There is great hope that the new ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, who was voted in at the ANC’s recent National Conference, will have a positive impact on the country’s economic state, drawing from his extensive business experience.

Zuma’s preferred candidate for leader of the ANC, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, failed to garner more votes than Ramaphosa during the Conference. It is thought that she will still be given a position in the party’s new cabinet, in order to placate her supporters.

Numerous ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members have stated that Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom is preparing a fresh motion of no confidence in President Zuma, which he plans to bring forth before the senior members of the ANC meet on 10 January.

The President is also facing calls to step down from the ANC’s alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

Those in support of Ramaphosa feel that Zuma’s having been at the center of numerous controversies has hurt the ANC’s reputation in the eyes of the general public, as well as its performance in the 2016 municipal elections. They believe that this trend will continue into the country’s next general election, scheduled to take place during 2019. An early Zuma departure, they hope, will serve to strengthen confidence in the party’s ability to root out corruption, and lead the nation going forward.

For more information about the 2019 South African general election, click here.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

Source: [1], [2]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) Announced

Written by Quintin Coetzee

As the African National Congress (ANC) wraps up its 54th National Conference in Johannesburg, it has announced the new members of its National Executive Committee (NEC).

The NEC is the chief executive body of the ANC, South Africa’s ruling party. It has the power to lead the organization, subject to the provisions of its Constitution. It is elected every five years, at the party’s National Conference. The NEC, in turn, elects a National Working Committee, which is responsible for day-to-day decision-making.

The NEC is composed of The President, Deputy President, National Chairperson, the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the Treasurer General, who are separately by the National Conference, and commonly referred to as the “Top 6”, as well as 80 additional members.

The Top 6 positions are now filled by the following newly-elected members:

President: Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy President: David Mabuza
National Chairperson: Gwede Mantashe
Secretary General: Ace Magashule
Deputy Secretary General: Jessie Duarte
Treasurer General: Paul Mashatile

Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the ANC, does not have a majority of allies in the NEC. If this translates to a lack of support from a majority of the NEC voting members, it may limit the scope of control he has over the party, and his ability to drive policy changes. While Ramaphosa has replaced Jacob Zuma as the party’s President, Zuma is still the President of the country, with his term ending at the time of the next South African general election sometime in 2019.

The two main party leaders that Ramaphosa will be leading the ANC against in said election will be Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance, and Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Both parties are looking to increase the gains they saw during the 2014 general election, and potentially form a coalition government that will unseat the ANC for the first time since they began leading the country in 1994.

Pravin Gordhan, the previous South African Minister of Finance, replaced by President Zuma during a cabinet reshuffle in March 2017, has been elected as a member of the new NEC.

Among the elected NEC members are Ramaphosa’s opponent in the ANC leadership election, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (receiving the 9th most votes), Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, and former central bank Governor Tito Mboweni. Former ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize won the most votes of the 80 additional members of the NEC, followed by Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of Small Business Development.

Staunch backers of Ramaphosa in the NEC include Pravin Gordhan, Derek Hanekom, Angie and Mathole Motshekga, Jackson Mthembu and Mondli Gungubele.

Among the backers of President Jacob Zuma in the NEC are omvula Mokonyane, Collen Maine, Bathabile Dlamini, Pule Mabe and Tony Yengeni.

ANC leaders who did not retain positions in the NEC include SACP leader Blade Nzimande, and Ministers Thulas Nxesi, Gugile Nkwinti, and Senzeni Zokwana.

The new members of the NEC, in no particular order, are as follows:

  1. Zweli Mkhize
  2. Lindiwe Zulu
  3. Regina Makgaule
  4. David Masondo
  5. Malusi Gigaba
  6. Ronald Lamola
  7. Violet Siwela
  8. Zizi Kodwa
  9. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
  10. 1Obed Bapela
  11. Tito Mboweni
  12. Lindiwe Sisulu
  13. Bheki Cele
  14. Fikile Mbalula
  15. Thoko Didiza
  16. Sdumo Dlamini
  17. Bathabile Dlamini
  18. Senzo Mchunu
  19. Pravin Gordhan
  20. Naledi Pandor
  21. Ivan Botes
  22. Zingiswa Losi
  23. Jackson Mthembu
  24. Phumulo Masualle
  25. Pule Mabe
  26. Sfiso Buthelezi
  27. Mduduzi Manana
  28. Aaron Motsoaledi
  29. Thandi Modise
  30. Edna Molewa
  31. Collen Maine
  32. Nathi Mthethwa
  33. Tima Joemat Pieterson
  34. Nkenke Kekana
  35. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
  36. Angie Motshekga
  37. Bongani Bongo
  38. Enoch Godongwana
  39. Nomvula Mokonyane
  40. Baleka Mbete
  41. Derrick Hanekom
  42. Mondli Gungubele
  43. Jeff Radebe
  44. David Mahlobo
  45. Ruth Bhengu
  46. Msebenzi Zwane
  47. Pinky Kekana
  48. Nocawe Mafu
  49. Joe Maswanganyi
  50. Tony Yengeni
  51. Joel Netshitenzhe
  52. Dakota Lekgoete
  53. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
  54. Noxolo Kiviet
  55. Ngoako Ramathlodi
  56. Mathole Motshekga
  57. Sbongile Bhesane
  58. Thandi Mahambehlala
  59. Susan Shabangu
  60. Pinky Moloi
  61. Beauty Dluelane
  62. Pamela Tshwete
  63. Toko Xasa
  64. Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
  65. Dikeledi Magadzi
  66. Thabang Makwetla
  67. Siyabonga Cwele
  68. Barbrah Creecy
  69. Mildred Oliphant
  70. Khensani Khubayi
  71. Nomaindia Mfeketho
  72. Hlengiwe Mkhize
  73. Pemmy Majodina
  74. Faith Mothambi
  75. Rejoice Mabudavhasi
  76. Cindy Tshikunga
  77. Gwen Ramokgopa
  78. Sylvia Lucas
  79. Pammy Majodina
  80. Candith Mashego

Many South Africans, as well as those overseas, are skeptical as to the direction that the newly-elected party members will take the country in the coming months, with the hope that South Africa will see less corruption and greater economic growth in its near future. There is also something to be said of the ever-present need for all parties in Parliament to come together and make decisions which will benefit citizens as a whole, as opposed to wasting precious discussion time on the often racism-fueled volleys that the country’s residents have come to know.

To learn more about the ANC’s National Executive Committee, click here.

For information about how we can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

 

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Image Sources: [1], [2].