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Cyril Ramaphosa: A Political and Economic Journey in South Africa

Cyril Ramaphosa is one of the most influential and complex figures in South Africa’s modern political and economic history. He has transitioned from an anti-apartheid activist and labor union leader to a successful businessman and ultimately to the highest office in the land. His life is a microcosm of South Africa’s turbulent evolution—from colonial subjugation and apartheid to democratic governance and economic transformation. Understanding Cyril Ramaphosa’s journey offers a lens through which to examine South Africa’s hopes, its achievements, and the persistent challenges that define its contemporary landscape.

Early Life and Education

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on November 17, 1952, in Soweto, a township southwest of Johannesburg that became synonymous with resistance to apartheid. He was the second of three children in a modest household. His father, Samuel Ramaphosa, was a retired police officer, and his mother a homemaker. From an early age, Cyril was acutely aware of the racial injustices embedded within South African society.

He attended Tshilidzi Primary School in Soweto and later went on to Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Limpopo province. Despite the limited educational resources available to Black South Africans under the Bantu Education system, Ramaphosa excelled academically and displayed early signs of leadership. In 1972, he enrolled at the University of the North (commonly referred to as Turfloop) to study law. This university was a crucible for political activism, and it was here that Ramaphosa became involved in student politics.

His participation in the South African Students Organization (SASO), which was associated with the Black Consciousness Movement led by Steve Biko, marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to political activism. In 1974, his activism led to his arrest under the Terrorism Act for organizing pro-Frelimo rallies in support of Mozambique’s liberation from Portuguese rule. He was held in solitary confinement for eleven months. Upon release, he continued his studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA), eventually earning a law degree in 1981.

Trade Union Leadership and Anti-Apartheid Work

Ramaphosa’s entry into the trade union movement was a defining moment in his career. In 1982, he became the first General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), an organization that quickly grew into the largest and most influential union in South Africa. Under his leadership, NUM organized several large-scale strikes, most notably the 1987 mineworkers’ strike, which was one of the most significant labor actions during apartheid.

Ramaphosa was a skilled negotiator and an articulate spokesperson for workers’ rights, gaining respect from both allies and adversaries. His work with NUM and his ability to mobilize masses put him on the radar of the African National Congress (ANC) and the broader anti-apartheid movement. He played a pivotal role in founding the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in 1985, which later formed a strategic alliance with the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

COSATU, through its grassroots mobilization and international solidarity campaigns, became a vital component in the struggle against apartheid. Ramaphosa’s unionist background also taught him critical organizational and leadership skills that would later serve him well in national politics and business.

Role in the Transition to Democracy

Following the unbanning of the ANC in 1990 and the release of Nelson Mandela, Ramaphosa was chosen to head the ANC’s negotiation team in the multiparty talks that led to the end of apartheid. He played a central role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), which negotiated the peaceful transition from white minority rule to a democratic government.

Ramaphosa’s contributions to South Africa’s constitutional negotiations were immense. He was widely praised for his calm demeanor, strategic thinking, and ability to build consensus among deeply divided parties. In 1991, he was elected Secretary-General of the ANC, a position that cemented his place among the top leadership of the party.

Following the historic 1994 elections, which brought Nelson Mandela to power as South Africa’s first Black president, Ramaphosa was elected to Parliament and became chair of the Constitutional Assembly. In that role, he oversaw the drafting of South Africa’s new constitution, widely considered one of the most progressive in the world.

Despite his stature and popularity, Ramaphosa was overlooked for the deputy presidency in favor of Thabo Mbeki. Many observers believe this snub led to his decision to temporarily exit politics in 1996.

Business Career

Ramaphosa’s pivot to the private sector was both strategic and lucrative. In 2001, he founded Shanduka Group, a black-owned investment holding company with interests in mining, energy, banking, and telecommunications. Over the next decade, Ramaphosa became one of South Africa’s most successful businessmen, with estimated personal wealth in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Among his notable business ventures was a franchise agreement with McDonald’s to operate restaurants in South Africa. He also held significant stakes in companies like MTN (a major telecom operator), Standard Bank, and Lonmin. However, his business career was not without controversy. He was accused of being a beneficiary of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies that, while designed to redistribute wealth, were criticized for enriching a politically connected elite.

Perhaps the most damaging episode came in 2012, during the Marikana miners’ strike. At the time, Ramaphosa was a non-executive director at Lonmin. Emails revealed he had urged the government to take “concomitant action” against protesting miners. Shortly afterward, 34 striking miners were killed by police—an event that remains one of the darkest moments in post-apartheid South Africa. Ramaphosa later expressed regret and apologized, but the incident continues to haunt his legacy.

Return to Politics and Rise to the Presidency

In 2012, Ramaphosa returned to the political arena when he was elected Deputy President of the ANC at the party’s Mangaung conference. In 2014, he was appointed Deputy President of South Africa by then-President Jacob Zuma. His return was widely interpreted as a move to restore credibility to the ANC amid growing concerns over corruption and mismanagement.

Over the next few years, Ramaphosa distanced himself from the more controversial aspects of Zuma’s administration, though critics argued he was complicit by remaining silent on many issues. Nevertheless, he maintained a clean personal image and cultivated support from within the party and civil society.

In December 2017, he was elected President of the ANC, narrowly defeating Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife and preferred successor. Two months later, Zuma was pressured to resign by the ANC National Executive Committee, paving the way for Ramaphosa to become President of South Africa in February 2018.

Presidency: Achievements and Challenges

Ramaphosa took office with promises to clean up corruption, stabilize the economy, and rebuild public trust in government institutions. He launched a series of investigations into state capture and corruption, most notably the Zondo Commission, which revealed widespread malfeasance under the Zuma administration.

On the economic front, Ramaphosa introduced a number of initiatives aimed at attracting foreign investment, supporting small businesses, and addressing youth unemployment. He launched a $100 billion investment drive and prioritized land reform in a way that sought to balance redress with economic stability.

However, his presidency has also been marked by significant challenges. The South African economy continues to suffer from sluggish growth, high unemployment (especially among youth), and persistent inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the country, exacerbating existing social and economic problems.

Additionally, Ramaphosa faced his own scandal, dubbed “Farmgate,” involving the alleged theft of a large sum of foreign currency from his private game farm and accusations of failing to report the crime properly. While investigations eventually cleared him of legal wrongdoing, the incident damaged his reputation.

International Relations and Diplomacy

Ramaphosa has positioned South Africa as a significant voice on the global stage. He has chaired the African Union and has been an advocate for greater African representation in global governance institutions. His administration has emphasized diplomacy, regional cooperation, and sustainable development.

In 2025, South Africa hosted the G20 summit—the first ever on the African continent—highlighting Ramaphosa’s efforts to secure South Africa’s place among the world’s leading nations. He has also engaged in difficult diplomatic exchanges, including a tense meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump over racially charged rhetoric about South African land reform and the treatment of white farmers.

Legacy and Future Prospects

Cyril Ramaphosa’s legacy is still in the making. He is a leader who embodies both the hopes and contradictions of post-apartheid South Africa. As an activist, he helped dismantle apartheid. As a businessman, he symbolized the rise of a Black capitalist class. As president, he has promised reform but struggled to overcome entrenched interests and systemic challenges.

Supporters view him as a pragmatic and ethical leader trying to steer the country through turbulent waters. Critics argue that his cautious style has led to delays in critical reforms and has allowed factionalism within the ANC to persist.

Whether Ramaphosa will succeed in fully implementing his vision for South Africa remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that his journey—from Soweto to the Union Buildings—represents the aspirations of a nation still striving to realize its promise.

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