The RISE and FALL of CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Early Activism and Union Leadership

• 🌱 Born in Soweto, Cyril Ramaphosa grew up under apartheid, becoming an outspoken student activist and facing multiple detentions, including 11 months in solitary confinement.
• 🛠️ After law school, he founded the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) in 1982, growing it into the most powerful union and leading historic strikes against mine bosses.
• 👏 His charisma and determination earned him comparisons to Lech Wałęsa, making him a national figure in the anti-apartheid movement.

Negotiator and Constitutional Architect

• 🔑 Following Nelson Mandela's release, Ramaphosa coordinated his homecoming and became a key negotiator for the ANC, helping to end apartheid.
• ✅ He was elected Secretary General of the ANC and played an indispensable role in drafting South Africa's progressive post-apartheid Constitution in 1996.
• 💔 Despite being Mandela's preferred successor, he was passed over for the ANC presidency in 1997, leading him to step back from politics.

Business Empire and Marikana Controversy

• 📈 Ramaphosa transitioned into business, building a corporate empire through Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiatives, becoming one of South Africa's richest individuals.
• ⚠️ His business success led to criticism as a "sellout" of his socialist ideals, particularly after the Marikana Massacre in 2012.
• 💬 As a board member of Lonmin, his emails urging decisive action against striking miners were seen as a betrayal of workers, though he was cleared of direct responsibility for the killings.

Return to Politics and Presidency

• 🚀 Amidst Jacob Zuma's corruption scandals, Ramaphosa returned to politics, becoming ANC Deputy President in 2012 and later President of South Africa in 2018.
• ✨ His presidency began with a "new dawn" of optimism, focusing on anti-corruption efforts and reforming state-owned companies.
• 🚨 He faced significant challenges, including high unemployment, electricity blackouts, and the Farmgate scandal, where he was accused of hiding large sums of cash.

Navigating a New Political Landscape

• 📊 In the 2024 general elections, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time, securing only 46% of the vote.
• 🤝 Ramaphosa skillfully formed an unprecedented coalition government with opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, to secure his second presidential term.
• 🎯 His journey exemplifies resilience and dialogue, consistently choosing negotiation over conflict to mend a fractured nation and party.