Rapturous reception for Mnangagwa in Mzansi

IN a show of popularity and heart-warming camadarie, President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received the most thunderous welcome from thousands of South Africans gathered at Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Mnangagwa was part of the 20 Heads of State and Government that attended yesterday's ceremony which was also graced by former South African presidents, diplomats and leaders of various international organisations.

President Mnangagwa was given a rapturous applause soon after arrival while making his way to the VVIP platform where other important dignitaries were seated. President Ramaphosa became the 6th President of South African following the end of Apartheid in 1994. His African National Congress party won the elections held on May 8 with a 57,5 percent majority. The main opposition party, Democratic Alliance, came a distant second with 20,8 percent follows with the Economic Freedom Fighters third with 10,8 percent of the vote.

The ANC managed to retain all the eight provinces it held before the elections while the Democratic Alliance retained its governing position in the Western Cape. President Ramaphosa took his oath of office before South Africa's Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. In his inauguration speech, President Ramaphosa said he would be guided by the country's values in discharging his duties.

"Our Constitution - the basic law of our land - continues to guide our way even at the darkest hour. As a nation, we therefore can no longer abide the grave disparities of wealth and opportunity that have defined our past and which threaten to imperil our future. It is our shared will - and our shared responsibility - to build a society that knows neither privilege nor disadvantage. It is a society where those who have much are willing to share with those who have little. It is a society where every person, regardless of race or sex or circumstance, may experience the fundamental necessities of a decent, dignified life."

President Ramaphosa also thanked African leaders who attended yesterday's ceremony and pledged to work with other African nations for the continent's development.

"We are profoundly grateful to you for choosing to celebrate Africa Day among us, giving further poignancy to South Africa's transformation from a pariah state to a full and valued member of the family of African nations," he said.

"We also recognise, with appreciation, those countries from other continents who have joined us today. We remain eternally grateful to all nations represented here for the sacrifices and tireless contributions by your people and governments to the liberation of our land. Today, we reaffirm our determination to work with our sisters and brothers across the continent to realise the African Union's vision of Agenda 2063."

Zimbabwe and South Africa enjoy cordial relations dating back to the liberation struggle.