Jacob Zuma has resigned as president of South Africa.
Jacob Zuma resigned as the country’s president late last night during a press briefing held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The resignation came after Zuma’s television interview earlier in the day when he appeared to stand his ground despite the recall from his party, the African National Congress (ANC).
“It has been an honour that I will cherish as long as I live. No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should never be divided I my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as the president of the Republic with immediate effect,” he said.
Student Representative Council (SRC) at Wits, Sandla Myotywa,said that he was very happy about Zuma’s resignation, “We’re very much (sic) happy, he has been very stubborn,” he said.
He added that there was “nothing special” about Cyril Ramaphosa. “It’s just an event that Zuma left. Actually things might get worse because Ramaphosa is the face of white monopoly capital, which is the enemy of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF),” said Myotywa.
Staffer at Sizzlers in the Wits Matrix building Simon Madela said that the manner in which Zuma vacated office is problematic. “This is happening for a second time, he added alluding to the recall of former President Thabo Mbeki. Madela said that opposition parties “want these things to happen in order for them to gain votes when the time comes”.
Second-year BA South African Sign Language student, Gemma Hamman said “I honestly think it’s good for the country because yesterday, while everyone was waiting for his resignation the rand actually got a bit stronger against the dollar. It brings in a new era of political power.”
Cyril Ramaphosa was elected as president of South Africa in the National Assembly earlier today. Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address scheduled for February 16.
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