Lindsay Dentlinger19 June 2024 | 5:55

Ramaphosa facing tough second term as head of govt of national unity

Wednesday officially ushers in the country’s second government of national unity (GNU).

Ramaphosa facing tough second term as head of govt of national unity

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be inaugurated on Wednesday 19 June at the Union Buildings. 

PRETORIA - President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa is undoubtedly facing a tough second term. 
 
He faced a pandemic, an economic downturn and the fallout from state capture in the first round of his presidency. 
 
But this time around, he will have a new set of political challenges no president has had to face since 1994. 
 
Wednesday officially ushers in the country’s second government of national unity (GNU). 
 
Only this time, the African National Congress (ANC)'s hand was forced to ensure Ramaphosa was re-elected. 
 
No stranger to this set-up, however, having been a key negotiator 30 years ago, this time around, he will actually be at the reins of a very delicate balancing act. 
 
On Tuesday, the PAC did an eleventh-hour about-turn to join the government of national unity
 
Guests have already started filing into the amphitheatre
 
It's a chilly start to the day in the nation's capital but blankets and umbrellas are at the ready to keep everyone comfortable.