Witness to a dramatic event

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks in parliament in Cape Town, South Africa February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

IT was dramatic to watch the breaking news on the appointment of the new South African president, which was aired live on Chinese New Year eve. The TV coverage showed the South African parliament in session to elect Cyril Ramaphosa as the new president after the resignation of Jacob Zuma following allegations of corruption against him.

All opposition parties spoke to welcome the appointment of the new president. They also told him straight to his face that they would be watching him closely. As Ramaphosa was Zuma’s deputy, and as both are from the same political party, the African National Congress (ANC), it was not surprising for them to say that.