Also known as: president Cyril Ramaphosa · President Ramaphosa · South African president Cyril Ramaphosa · current President Cyril Ramaphosa · CR17 · weak-kneed South African president Cyril Ramaphosa · deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa · acting president Cyril Ramaphosa · Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa · Ramphosa · SADC Chairperson and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
President of South Africa; facing coalition government pressures, responding to US diplomatic tensions, and addressing gender-based violence crisis.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Cyril Ramaphosa
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa may have to appear before the Madlanga Commission following claims by Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola
“Following claims made by Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa may have to appear before the Madlanga Commission, while Parliament's inquiry into South Africa's policing also potentially has him in its sights.”
Dithering Ramaphosa may have to testify before policing inquiriesThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the groundswell of support for the establishment of Palestine
“Congratulating Macron on the decision, President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the "demonstrable groundswell of support for the establishment of the much-awaited state of Palestine".”
France, Canada and the UK recognise a Palestinian state – why it mattersThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa was informed of an unusual cash transaction for R8-million on 26 December 2019
“Following the transaction, he did not issue an invoice for the sale, but rather drafted a document acknowledging receipt of the funds that he later placed in a safe. The animals, however, were not taken by the buyer on that day. He told the court that the next day, on 26 December, when Ramaphosa briefly visited the farm en route to Cape Town for a holiday, he informed the president of the transaction.”
R8m cash stash at Phala Phala — Who knew what, and when?The Namibian
Cyril Ramaphosa ordered creation of the Madlanga Commission
“President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the creation of the Madlanga Commission after Mkhwanazi made a series of startling accusations in a press conference on 6 July, including that Matlala was financially supporting the political endeavours of Senzo Mchunu, the police minister who was placed on leave over the accusations.”
Mkhwanazi alleges SA’s new capture — malicious corruption-busters and classified intelligence leaksThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the creation of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
“President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the creation of the commission after Mkhwanazi held a press conference on 6 July at which he made startling accusations.”
‘Someone influenced’ Senzo Mchunu to disband Political Killings Task Team, Mkhwanazi tells commissionThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in apartheid-era crime prosecutions
“The new inquest comes five months after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.”
Anti-apartheid hero's new inquest should lead to justice, Biko family tells BBCThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed he put aside his promise to reduce the size of his executive for political expediency
“Responding to proposed legislative changes from ActionSA to abolish deputy minister positions, President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed he put his promise to reduce the size of his executive aside for political expediency.”
Ramaphosa says he ‘would like’ fewer deputy ministers, but political realities dictate otherwiseThe Namibian
Ramaphosa signalled willingness to consider ActionSA's Constitutional Amendment Bill to scrap all 43 deputy minister positions
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has signalled willingness to consider ActionSA's proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aims to scrap all 43 deputy minister positions, a move that, if passed by Parliament, could save the country hundreds of millions of rands in taxpayers' money.”
Ramaphosa says he ‘would like’ fewer deputy ministers, but political realities dictate otherwiseThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law in August new proclamation doubling disclosure threshold for reporting private donations
“This situation is about to get significantly more opaque, because a new proclamation quietly signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August doubles the disclosure threshold for reporting private donations, meaning that only donations above R200,000 now have to be publicly disclosed.”
Mired in opacity — 10 hard truths about SA’s political party fundingThe Namibian
President Cyril Ramaphosa has admonished Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola over his actions relating to political killings investigations
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has essentially admonished Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola over his actions relating to political killings investigations, part of a seismic and developing law enforcement scandal.”
‘Jumping the gun on political murder dockets’ — Ramaphosa, Cachalia rebuke MasemolaAs local elections approach, President Ramaphosa's coalition government with the DA faces pressure from ANC weakness and Johannesburg's crisis, with the SACP having opposed the deal during 2024 coalition negotiations.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
As local elections approach, President Ramaphosa's coalition government with the DA faces pressure from ANC weakness and Johannesburg's crisis, with the SACP having opposed the deal during 2024 coalition negotiations.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa has issued a third formal diplomatic protest against US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III in nine months over what it characterises as undiplomatic conduct and interference in domestic affairs. The latest row follows Bozell's public statements that Washington has ended dialogue with Pretoria, and South African officials have warned the country to prepare for worsening relations amid what they call US pressure to surrender sovereignty.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened Vedanta Zinc International's Gamsberg Phase II expansion in the Northern Cape, which will double the mine's zinc-in-concentrate capacity to approximately 500,000 tonnes annually and create 800 to 1,000 jobs during operations.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
OvaHerero and Nama descendants in South Africa have petitioned President Cyril Ramaphosa and the German Embassy, seeking inclusion in negotiations over the 1904–1908 genocide and discussions of reparations and historical redress, arguing the genocide's effects extend beyond Namibia's borders.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority has petitioned the South African government for political, diplomatic and moral support in pursuing justice and reparations for the Nama and Ovaherero Genocide of 1904–08, citing ongoing land dispossession, displacement, economic marginalisation and intergenerational trauma among descendants.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
OvaHerero descendants in South Africa have petitioned President Cyril Ramaphosa to support their calls for justice and reparations over genocides committed by Imperial Germany between 1904 and 1908, citing ongoing land dispossession, forced displacement, economic marginalisation, and cultural disruption.
3 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, 43, and his wife Lucy Muteke were among six people killed when a helicopter crashed in the Marondera rural area east of Harare on Wednesday evening. The cause of the crash was not immediately known and investigations were under way.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures to combat gender-based violence on Tuesday, following the murders of at least 11 women in Ekurhuleni since mid-July. The measures include a crackdown on alcohol abuse, a women's safety audit to be completed within 60 days, and a review of unresolved gender-based violence cases within 90 days.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's cabinet has condemned a series of murders in Ekurhuleni that has brought the number of women killed in Gauteng to 13. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with three of the murders and remain in custody; investigators are pursuing several other people of interest.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a national address on Tuesday evening on the government's response to gender-based violence and femicide, and provide updates on investigations into the murders of women in and around Ekurhuleni, where 11 women's bodies have reportedly been discovered since July.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani highlighted a gap between political commitment to water projects and the financing needed to realize them, noting Namibia's championing of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme, which aims to mobilize at least US$30 billion a year by 2030 for water security and sustainable sanitation.
23 September 2026 · Informanté →
Eastern Cape ANC secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi is threatening to sue Fikile Mbalula, the party's secretary-general, for defamation over claims that Ngcukayitobi was responsible for the ANC's failure to submit candidate lists on time. Ngcukayitobi's lawyers have demanded Mbalula retract the allegations by 12 midday on Tuesday, 22 September.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing a response to demands delivered by US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on behalf of Donald Trump, covering farmer protection, the "Kill the Boer" chant, expropriation without compensation, BBBEE investment requirements, and South Africa's non-aligned status. Ramaphosa's spokesperson said the reply would be "timely," with Pretoria believing progress has been made on the issues.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that Memoranda of Understanding do not constitute binding agreements and typically bypass parliamentary scrutiny, and that Namibia should focus on measurable economic outcomes rather than ceremonial "signing" events with other countries.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian reviews the ANC's local government election manifesto, noting that while the party acknowledges municipal failures including unreliable services, deteriorating infrastructure, and corruption, the manifesto's feasibility remains questionable. The ANC promises infrastructure repairs, water management improvements, and sets targets including reducing non-revenue water below 30% in metropolitan municipalities.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the completion of a 12-year process to bring liberation struggle heroes home, with the remains of six reinterred at Heroes' Acre on Monday and symbolic graves established for two others whose remains remain missing.
25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's constitutional framework treats opposition parties as inferior and enables majority rule to suppress truth and facts in parliamentary and cabinet decisions, calling for amendment of Articles 32 and 35 to establish a consensus-based system of governance.
25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The remains of liberation struggle veterans were officially reburied at Heroes' Acre following exhumations across Namibia and repatriations from South Africa. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described the ceremony as an act of national remembrance and restorative justice, correcting historical wrongs and honouring those who sacrificed in the struggle.
24 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has received the remains of 86 Namibians from South Africa, comprising 84 ancestral human remains and the mortal remains of liberation heroes Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge. The repatriation, following a solemn ceremony in Cape Town, has been described by the government as a historic act of restoration, dignity and national healing.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and other regional leaders adopted commitments on industrialisation, infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, critical minerals, and regional trade. The summit theme centred infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals as priorities for building a competitive, climate-resilient and inclusive SADC region.
19 August 2026 · Informanté →
Southern African Development Community leaders gathered for their 46th Ordinary Summit in eThekwini have prioritised migration management, peace, security, job creation, industrialisation and deeper economic integration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who assumed the SADC chairship, called for faster implementation of regional development plans, noting that intra-SADC trade accounts for only about one-fifth of the region's total trade and that SADC must process and beneficiate more of its own raw materials rather than exporting them.
17 August 2026 · Informanté →
SADC secretary Elias Magosi has called on the region to stop exporting raw minerals and instead focus on beneficiation, value addition, manufacturing and industrialisation to create jobs and wealth, noting that SADC is rich in critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, graphite, manganese, copper, rare earth elements and platinum group metals.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has departed for Durban, South Africa, to attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, where regional leaders will deliberate on priorities for sustainable and inclusive development under the theme of resilient industrialisation through infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals transformation.
16 August 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has departed for Durban to attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on 17 August, hosted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit will bring together regional leaders to deliberate on regional priorities and strengthen collective efforts towards sustainable and inclusive development.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban on 17 August 2026, where regional leaders will deliberate on industrialisation, trade, infrastructure, peace and security, and witness the handover of SADC chairpersonship from Emmerson Mnangagwa to Cyril Ramaphosa.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Durban, South Africa, on 17 August, hosted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit will address regional industrialisation, value chains, intra-regional trade, infrastructure connectivity, and peace and security.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Democratic Alliance, a member of South Africa's Government of National Unity coalition, has joined AfriForum and the Institute of Race Relations in challenging the Expropriation Act, which would permit the government to expropriate land without compensation in certain circumstances. The high court in Cape Town is hearing arguments over five days on the Act's validity and constitutionality, with the Presidency, Parliament, and the Economic Freedom Fighters presenting counter-arguments.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A 47-year-old Nigerian businessman left his South African wife, twin children, and established car-dealership business in Johannesburg and took a voluntary repatriation flight to Nigeria in June, citing harassment and safety fears as anti-migrant protests intensified in South Africa this year.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that South Africa's criminal justice system is fundamentally broken and requires a revolution rather than incremental reforms, citing recent leadership failures at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and the National Prosecuting Authority.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is wielding considerable power as the second-most influential figure in government after President Cyril Ramaphosa, as demonstrated by his decisions at the Public Investment Corporation and actions affecting municipalities. The article notes that a finance minister typically holds more actual authority than other senior officials due to their control over the national budget, and Godongwana has been able to exercise this power with clear presidential backing.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →