President of South Africa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of South Africa
Presidential seal
Incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa since 15 February 2018
Government of South Africa
Style	Mr. President (informal) His Excellency (formal, diplomatic)
Member of	Cabinet
Residence	Mahlamba Ndlopfu (Pretoria) Genadendal (Cape Town) Dr. John L. Dube House (Durban)
Seat	Union Buildings
Appointer	National Assembly of South Africa
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of South Africa
Precursor	State President
Formation	10 May 1994; 31 years ago (1994-05-10)
First holder	Nelson Mandela
Deputy	Deputy President
Salary	R 3,900,000 annually (2019)

The president of South Africa is the country's leader. This person is both the head of state and the head of government. The president leads the executive branch of the government. They are also the commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force, which is the country's military. Before 1994, the leader was called the State President.

The president is chosen by the National Assembly. This is the lower house of the Parliament. Usually, the president is the leader of the party with the most votes. Since the first election where all races could vote in 1994, this has been the African National Congress. A president can serve for two five-year terms. Nelson Mandela was the first president elected under the new rules. The current president is Cyril Ramaphosa. He was elected on 15 February 2018 after Jacob Zuma resigned.

From 1994 to 1996, South Africa had an interim constitution. During this time, there was a Government of National Unity. This meant a member from the biggest opposition party could be a deputy president. For example, F. W. de Klerk, the last president from the apartheid era, served as deputy president. He was the leader of the National Party, which was the second-largest party. Later, De Klerk left this role. Today, a coalition government can still exist, but opposition leaders have not been appointed as deputy president since then.

To become president, a person must be a member of the National Assembly. Once elected, the president gives up their seat in the Assembly. They do this for as long as they are president. A president can be removed from office. This can happen through a motion of no-confidence or an impeachment trial.

How the Presidency Began

The idea of a president in South Africa has changed over time. Parts of these older roles are still seen in today's presidency. In the past, British colonies like Natal and the Cape of Good Hope were led by governors. The Boer republics, like the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, had their own presidents. After several wars, including the South African War, the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed.

On 31 May 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed. It was a British Dominion. The British monarch was the head of state. A governor-general represented the monarch.

In 1961, after a vote, South Africa became a republic. The office of State President was created. At first, this was a ceremonial role. But in 1984, a new constitution changed things. It removed the Prime Minister position. The State President then took on those powers. In 1994, South Africa ended its system of minority rule. The current role of the president was then set up by the country's Constitution.

How the President is Chosen

South Africa has a special way of choosing its president. Unlike many former British colonies, South Africa's president is both the head of state and head of government. They are also the commander-in-chief of the military. In most presidential systems, the people directly elect their president. But in South Africa, the Parliament of South Africa elects the president. This means the president is connected to Parliament. They can also influence laws because they lead the main political party.

The president is elected at the first meeting of Parliament after an election. A new election also happens if the position becomes empty. The National Assembly chooses the president from its members. The chief justice supervises this election. Once elected, the person stops being a member of the National Assembly. They must then be sworn in as president within five days. If the position becomes empty, the chief justice sets a date for a new election. This must happen within 30 days.

This system combines parts of both parliamentary and presidential systems. Only a few other countries, like Botswana, use a similar method. The presidency is a very important role. However, there are many checks and balances. These rules stop the president from having too much power. The president serves for five years and can only serve two terms. This system tries to prevent one person from gaining too much control.

Who Takes Over if the President Cannot Serve

The constitution says the president can only use their powers while in South Africa. If the president travels outside the country or cannot do their job, they can name an acting president.

If the president's office becomes empty, there is a clear order of who takes over:

• First, the deputy president takes over.
• If not, a Cabinet minister chosen by the president.
• If not, a Cabinet minister chosen by the Cabinet.
• Finally, the speaker of the National Assembly takes over.

What the President Does

The president is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force. The president's duties and pay are listed in the Constitution of South Africa and other laws.

The president has the power to lead the country. They appoint many officials. The most important appointments are the Cabinet ministers and judges. These include judges for the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. The president's Cabinet helps carry out laws and the president's plans. Judges are chosen based on advice from the Judicial Service Commission.

The president also helps create new laws. They can sign bills into laws or reject them. If a bill is rejected, it can go back to Parliament or to the Constitutional Court. The president can also call for a public vote on an issue. The president calls Parliament together. They often give a "State of the Nation Address" at the start of each new session.

As commander-in-chief of the military, the president influences foreign policy and security. The president has the power to declare war and make peace. They can also negotiate and sign treaties with other countries. The president welcomes foreign diplomats and appoints South African diplomats. They also give out awards and grant pardons.

Presidents of South Africa Since 1994

Parties

      African National Congress

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Term of office			Parliament	Political party	Government	Refs
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)	1994	10 May 1994	14 June 1999	5 years, 35 days	22nd	ANC	Mandela (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) ANC—NP—IFP
				The first president after apartheid ended. He was the first black leader of South Africa. He was also the first president chosen in a fully democratic election. His government worked to undo the effects of apartheid. This included fighting racism, poverty, and inequality. He also worked to bring people together. He was a leader of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
2		Thabo Mbeki (born 1942)	1999 2004	14 June 1999	21 May 2004	9 years, 102 days	23rd	ANC	Mbeki I ANC—IFP
				21 May 2004	24 September 2008		24th		Mbeki II (Reshuffle 1 · 2)
				The second president after apartheid. He resigned on 20 September 2008. This happened after the ANC asked him to step down. A judge had looked into claims of improper actions. Even though a higher court later changed the judge's finding, his resignation remained.
3		Kgalema Motlanthe (born 1949)	2008	25 September 2008	9 May 2009	228 days	24th	ANC	Motlanthe
				The third president after apartheid. He was elected after Thabo Mbeki resigned. He served for a short time before Jacob Zuma became president. Later, Zuma appointed Motlanthe as deputy president.
4		Jacob Zuma (born 1942)	2009 2014	9 May 2009	24 May 2014	8 years, 281 days	25th	ANC	Zuma I (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
				24 May 2014	14 February 2018		26th		Zuma II (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
				The fourth president after apartheid. He was president during the ANC's 100th anniversary in 2015. He was also president when Nelson Mandela died in 2013. He resigned on 14 February 2018. This was less than a year before his term ended. The ANC had asked him to resign.
5		Cyril Ramaphosa (born 1952)	2018 2019 2024	15 February 2018	22 May 2019	7 years, 119 days	26th	ANC	Ramaphosa I
				22 May 2019	14 June 2024		27th		Ramaphosa II
				14 June 2024	Incumbent		28th		Ramaphosa III ANC—DA—IFP—PA
				The fifth president after apartheid. He was elected after Jacob Zuma resigned.

Timeline of Presidents

Latest Election Results

Images for kids

• 

  A robot for kids.

See Also

• List of heads of state of South Africa
• State President of South Africa
• Prime Minister of South Africa
• Governor-General of South Africa
• Deputy President of South Africa
• State President of the South African Republic (1857–1902)
• State President of the Orange Free State
• Freedom Day
• List of South African presidents by age