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.

Mpumalanga's education HOD takes leave amid R2m laptop saga

Mpumalanga’s education HOD takes leave amid R2m laptop saga

Mpumalanga’s education department head, Lucy Moyane, has taken a month-long leave of absence as pressure mounts over the R2-million laptop procurement saga that has...
Ramaphosa criticised for his silence

Cyril Ramaphosa’s silence questioned after attempt on Paul Mashatile’s life

President Cyril Ramaphosa has come under heavy criticism for his silence following a confirmed attempt on the life of Deputy President Paul Mashatile —...
Police commissioner confirms shooting of Paul Mashatile's convoy

(ICYMI) Deputy President Paul Mashatile survives assassination attempt

Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s office says his official car was shot at several times while he was being driven from a recent ANC NEC...

Stage set for Jonas and his tall tales 

Stage set for Jonas and his tall tales  Mcebisi Jonas, the man who swore the Guptas dangled R600m like a carrot for a finance gig...
Paul Mashatile grilled as ANCWL demands urgent action on GBV

Paul Mashatile grilled as ANCWL demands urgent action on GBV

Frustrated by the government’s empty promises on gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) last week summoned officials to a meeting...
‘Jonas is a terrible choice as special envoy to US

‘Jonas is a terrible choice as special envoy to US

Outspoken political analyst and published author Prince Mashele believes there could not have been a worse candidate than former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas...
JSE upgrades its systems

Pretoria puppeteers exposed 

Pretoria puppeteers exposed  Oh, the audacity! Business Unity SA (Busa), that unelected coven of CEOs, is back at it – lecturing SA on “political stability”...
Cyril Ramaphosa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to US

Cyril Ramaphosa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to US

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa's special envoy to the US. Jonas, who is currently the chairman...
SACP not bluffing about contesting elections 

SACP not bluffing about contesting elections 

The SACP would never be petty and threaten to contest elections just as a stunt to force the governing ANC into a more agreeable...
‘Gatvol’ GNU partners accuse DA of fomenting anarchy 

‘Gatvol’ GNU partners accuse DA of fomenting anarchy 

Tensions within President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of national unity (GNU) have escalated sharply, with partners voicing mounting frustrations over the DA’s governance approach, leading...