Ramaphosa to be Inaugurated on 19 June

Ramaphosa was elected President following the swearing-in of Members of Parliament.

The Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, has announced that the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa will be held in Pretoria on Wednesday, 19 June.

This announcement follows the upcoming first sitting of the National Assembly at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where Ramaphosa was elected President following the swearing-in of Members of Parliament.

The first sittings of the National Assembly on Friday and the National Council of Provinces on Saturday mark the beginning of the new parliamentary term, following the elections on 29 May 2024.

After receiving the list of candidates from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Parliament has been working with the elected Members and their respective parties to capture their details into the parliamentary system.

The first sitting of the National Assembly started with the swearing-in of all designated members in attendance by the Chief Justice. After the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Justice will oversee the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“Once elected, the newly appointed Speaker will take over the proceedings and preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker. These elections are crucial for the proper constitution of the National Assembly, as they ensure the leadership structure is in place to guide the House’s functions and duties,” George explained.

“With the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected, the National Assembly will then be constitutionally competent to proceed with its first major task – the election of the man or woman from among the Members of the Assembly, to be inaugurated as the President of the Republic.

“This is a crucial process, as it sets the stage for the formation of the new administration that will govern the country. Once elected, the person ceases to be a Member of Parliament,” said George.

He further noted that the Constitution stipulates that once elected as President by the National Assembly, the President-elect must assume office within five days by taking an oath or affirming their faithfulness to the Republic and their obedience to the Constitution.

After the conclusion of the first sittings, members will proceed to attend the inauguration of President-elect Ramaphosa, scheduled for 19 June 2024, in Pretoria.