President Cyril Ramaphosa

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Johannesburg. His family was moved from Western Native Township to Soweto in 1962, where he attended Tshilidzi Primary School. He completed high school at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda in 1971.

He registered to study law at the University of the North in 1972, where he became involved in student politics, joining the South African Student Organisation (SASO) and the Black People’s Convention (BPC). He was detained in solitary confinement for 11 months in 1974 under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act for organising pro-Frelimo rallies. He was detained for the second time and held for six months in 1976 following the Soweto student uprising.

While a law clerk for a Johannesburg firm of attorneys, he continued his studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA) obtaining his B. Proc degree in 1981. He then joined the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) as a legal advisor.

In 1982, at the request of the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) he founded the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) with James Motlatsi and Elijah Barayi, and became the union’s first General Secretary. He was instrumental in building NUM into the most powerful union at the time, with membership rising from 6 000 to 300 000 during his tenure. He led mineworkers in one of the biggest strikes in South Africa’s history in 1987.

Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to sell cheap electricity to steel industry little too late – Expert

Centre for Economic Development and Transformation founder Duma Gqubule has dismissed ANC NEC plan to sell electricity at cheaper rates to chrome, manganese, and...

ANC leagues want party to withdraw from KZN GPU after IFP ousts mayor

The KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unit (GPU) is once again under strain, with some leagues of the ANC and senior party leaders asking the...

‘Case belongs in high court’: ConCourt on why Jacob Zuma lost to Cyril Ramaphosa

The Constitutional Court says the case brought by former president Jacob Zuma and the MK Party against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to make SAPS-related...

Cyril Ramaphosa calls for immediate release of Global Sumud Flotilla abductees

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Israeli government to immediately release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities’ interception...

Cyril Ramaphosa demands Israel release abducted South Africans

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Israel to immediately release South Africans and other nationals who were abducted after the Global Sumud Flotilla was...
Ntshavheni criticises Afrikaners who left for US

Cabinet Lekgotla to implement economic growth strategies

The Cabinet Lekgotla currently underway at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria is zooming into economic growth and the White Paper review on local...

Nathi Mthethwa’s death tragic, says Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sorrow over the death of South African Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa. Mthethwa’s lifeless body was found on the...
Madlanga commission continues

Crime intelligence boss unpacks chats between Brown Mogotsi, Cat Matlala

A series of WhatsApp message exchanges between Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's comrade, Brown Mogotsi, and alleged drug cartel member Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala dominated the...
Madlanga commission continues

Criminal syndicate influenced police ministry to disband task team – Dumisani Khumalo

An organised criminal syndicate influenced the Ministry of Police to disband the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team. This was revealed on Monday by SA Police...
Ramaphosa wants Andrew Chauke probed

President Cyril Ramaphosa orders probe into Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office

President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up an inquiry to look into whether suspended Advocate Andrew Chauke is fit to continue serving as director of...