Ramaphosa sworn in for new term, pledges to tackle inequality in South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has promised to improve basic living conditions for all citizens after he was sworn in for a second term in office.

Ramaphosa’s African National Congress will be sharing power with five other parties after it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years of democracy.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony in the capital Pretoria, Ramaphosa said voters have been unequivocal in expressing their disappointment and disapproval of his party’s performance in some of the areas in which the ANC has failed them.

He acknowledged that the voters wanted everyone to have enough food, decent homes, clean water, affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply, well-maintained roads, good care for the sick and elderly, quality schools and other basic services.

He promised to close the distances between South Africans and to build a more equal society.

The event was graced by African heads of state and dignitaries from as far afield as Cuba, a historical friend of the ANC, gathered outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria, seat of the South African government.

Recall that the ANC lost its majority for the first time in a general election on May 29 and spent two weeks in negotiations with other parties to form a government of unity.

The ANC won 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly, while the main opposition Democratic Alliance got 87.