Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Attend Ramaphosa’s Inauguration

By Shadrack Nyakoe

Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga attended the swearing-in ceremony of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The duo, previously political adversaries, posed for a photo at the event, sparking varied reactions among citizens.

Ramaphosa was inaugurated for a second full term despite not securing a majority in parliament in last month’s election for his African National Congress (ANC).

He was re-elected president following a coalition deal between the ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties.

This marks the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994 that the ANC lost its majority.

The 29 May election produced no outright winner, leading to the coalition government.

Many dignitaries, including several African heads of state, attended the ceremony.

“I swear I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa… I will obey, observe and uphold the constitution and all other laws of the republic,” Ramaphosa said as he took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

The ceremony included the national anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a fly-past by army helicopters, followed by Ramaphosa’s inaugural address.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, formed six months ago by former President Jacob Zuma, boycotted the inauguration and parliament’s first sitting, deeming the inauguration “farcical.”

The MK party, which won 15% of the votes and 58 parliamentary seats, did not participate in the ceremony.

Despite the ANC’s vote share dropping by 17 percentage points and losing 70 seats in parliament, Ramaphosa retained the presidency through a power-sharing agreement with the DA and other parties.

The ANC secured 40% of the vote, while the DA received 22%.

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