Cyril Ramaphosa was elected president of South Africa by parliament Thursday, his elevation was guaranteed after Jacob Zuma resigned the presidency late Wednesday night.
Following the vote on the floor of the National Assembly, Ramaphosa accepted words of praise from supporters and overt electoral threats from opposition leaders — then stood at the same podium where, 22 years ago, he shepherded the ratification of South Africa's constitution.
Ramaphosa, 65, promised to "continue to improve the lives of our people," and said he would "work very hard to try to not disappoint the people of South Africa."
It was a clear indication he plans to take the country in a different direction than his predecessor. On Friday night Ramaphosa will deliver his first State of the Nation Address, which he said would outline his plans to fight corruption in the country.
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