In a show of popularity and heart warming camaraderie,
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received the most thunderous welcome
from thousands of South Africans gathered at Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the
inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Mnangagwa was part of the 20 Heads of State and
Government that attended yesterday’s ceremony, which was also graced by former
presidents of South Africa, diplomats and leaders of various international
organisations.
President Mnangagwa was given a rapturous applause soon
after arrival while making his way to the VVIP platform where other important
dignitaries were seated.
Coincidently, the rapturous welcome of the President comes on a day the continent
was celebrating Africa Day, which marks the birth of the Organisation of
African Unity, whose main thrust is to promote unity among member states, a
shared history and the concerted effort to dislodge colonialism in all its
guises and facets.
President Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of Africa
Day on his Twitter handle, where he urged Africans to celebrate the values of
brotherhood, sisterhood and unity.
“Each and every nation struggled for their freedom and
sovereignty. Now we must work together to build a brighter future of progress
and prosperity for all.”
President Ramaphosa became the 6th President of South
Africa following the end of apartheid in 1994.
His African National Congress party won the elections, held
on May 8, with a 57,5 percent majority.
The main opposition party, Democratic Alliance, came a
distant second with 20,8 percent followed by the Economic Freedom Fighters with
10,8 percent of the vote.
The ANC managed to retain all the eight provinces it held
before the elections, while the Democratic Alliance retained governing position
in the Western Cape.
President Ramaphosa took his oath of office before South
Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
In his inauguration speech, President Ramaphosa said he
would be guided by the country’s values in discharging his duties.
“Our Constitution — the basic law of our land — continues
to guide our way even at the darkest hour,” he said.
“As a nation, we therefore can no longer abide by the grave
disparities of wealth and opportunity that have defined our past and which
threaten to imperil our future.
“It is our shared will — and our shared responsibility — to
build a society that knows neither privilege nor disadvantage.
“It is a society where those who have much are willing to
share with those who have little.
“It is a society where every person, regardless of race or
sex or circumstance, may experience the fundamental necessities of a decent,
dignified life.”
President Ramaphosa also thanked African leaders who
attended yesterday’s ceremony and pledged to work with other African nations
for the continent’s development.
“We are profoundly grateful to you for choosing to
celebrate Africa Day among us, giving further poignancy to South Africa’s
transformation from a pariah state to a full and valued member of the family of
African nations,” he said.
“We also recognise, with appreciation, those countries from
other continents who have joined us today.
“We remain eternally grateful to all nations represented
here for the sacrifices and tireless contributions by your people and
governments to the liberation of our land.
“Today, we reaffirm our determination to work with our
sisters and brothers across the continent to realise the African Union’s vision
of Agenda 2063.”
President Mnangagwa, who is also Sadc Vice Chairperson of
the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security has harmoniously worked with other
African countries to enhance political, economic and social cooperation.
The President is one of the African Heads of States who
signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create
a single market for goods, services and movement of persons in order to deepen
the economic integration on the African continent.
Africa Day is commemorated annually on 25 May to mark the
foundation of the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU) which was later renamed
African Union.
The OAU was formed on 25 May 1963 and Zimbabwe officially
became a member of the continental body soon after attaining its Independence
in 1980. Sunday Mail
The commentary in this clip is not supported by any evidence and is incorrect. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa has never been a Trade Unionist for example. South Africans do not know Mnangagwa, they liked Mugabe's Zim (they have mistaken respect for the chaotic land reform) pic.twitter.com/0lzgOkAkja— Dr Nkululeko Sibanda (@DrNkuSibanda) May 25, 2019
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