South Africa · Head of state and government

Cyril Ramaphosa

President of the Republic of South Africa.

Office

President of the Republic of South Africa

In office since

15 February 2018

Party

African National Congress

How Ramaphosa took office

The South African Government profile states that he took office as President on 15 February 2018.²

Career

1. 1982First general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers²
2. 1991ANC secretary general, led the ANC negotiating team in the transition to democracy²
3. 1994Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly²
4. 2001Founder and executive chairperson of Shanduka Group²
5. December 2012Deputy President of the ANC²
6. 25 May 2014 to 15 February 2018Deputy President of the Republic²
7. 15 February 2018 to presentPresident of the Republic^2,1

Education

• Law degree, University of South Africa, 1981.²

Term of office

Under section 83 of the Constitution the President is the Head of State and head of the national executive. Section 88 provides that no person may hold office as President for more than two terms.³

Official biography

Career facts only, from official biographies and reputable news reports. Checked 28 October 2026. Office holders change: see the sources for the latest.

Sources

1. United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (list dated 20 October 2026) (20 October 2026)
2. South African Government, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr
3. Constitute Project, South Africa's Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2012 (Constitute Project)