Career
- member of the National Assembly of South Africa (2014 to 2018)
- President of South Africa (2018 to present)
- Deputy President of South Africa (2014 to 2018)
- member of the National Assembly of South Africa (2019 to 2019)
- Chairperson of the African Union (2020 to 2021)
Facts compiled from Wikidata (CC0), a reference source, retrieved 2026-10-23. The office record above comes from the official source cited below.
Predecessor: Jacob Zuma (from Wikidata)
How the president is chosen
South Africans do not vote for the president directly. After each general election, and whenever the office falls vacant, the National Assembly elects the President from among its own members, in a sitting chaired by the Chief Justice. The president’s term begins on taking office and ends when a vacancy occurs or when the next elected President assumes office. No one may hold the office for more than two terms, and a person who is elected to fill a vacancy does not count that period as a term.
Sources: Constitution of South Africa, English text with amendments to 2012 (Constitute Project); Wikipedia, 2024 South African general election
Latest election and the next one
The general election was held on 29 May 2024. On 14 June 2024 the ANC, the DA, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance agreed to form a government of national unity, and the National Assembly re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa as President that day. He took office on 19 June 2024. The National Assembly is elected for five years, so the next president will be chosen after the general election due in 2029.
Sources: Wikipedia, 2024 South African general election; Wikipedia, Cyril Ramaphosa (inauguration at the Union Buildings, 19 June 2024); BBC, Cyril Ramaphosa vows ‘new era’ at presidential inauguration, June 2024; Reuters, South Africa’s National Assembly re-elects Cyril Ramaphosa, 14 June 2024; Constitution of South Africa, English text with amendments to 2012 (Constitute Project)
Presidents since 1994
These are the presidents elected since the end of apartheid. Short periods of acting presidents are not shown.
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Mandela | 10 May 1994 | 14 Jun 1999 |
| Thabo Mbeki | 14 Jun 1999 | 24 Sept 2008 |
| Kgalema Motlanthe | 25 Sept 2008 | 9 May 2009 |
| Jacob Zuma | 9 May 2009 | 14 Feb 2018 |
| Cyril Ramaphosa | 15 Feb 2018 | present |
Sources: Wikidata, position President of South Africa; Wikipedia, President of South Africa
The cabinet
These are the other members of the government in our directory, each with a page of their own.
- Head of government: Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
- Deputy President: Paul Shipokosa Mashatile
- Minister of Agriculture: Willie Aucamp
- Minister of Basic Education: Siviwe Gwarube
- Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Mmoba Solomon Malatsi
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Velenkosini Hlabisa
- Minister of Correctional Services: Petrus Johannes Groenewald
- Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: Angie Motshekga
- Minister of Electricity and Energy: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
- Minister of Employment and Labour: Nomakhosazana Meth
- Minister of Finance: Enoch Godongwana
- Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: David Maynier
- Minister of Health: Aaron Motsoaledi
- Minister of Higher Education: Buti Manamela
- Minister of Home Affairs: Leon Amos Schreiber
- Minister of Human Settlements: Thembisile Simelane
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Ronald Lamola
- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Mmamoloko Kubayi
- Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Mzwanele Nyhontso
- Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resource: Gwede Mantashe
- Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Maropene Ramokgopa
- Minister of Police: Firoz Cachalia
- Minister in the Presidency: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- Minister of Public Service and Administration: Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi
- Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Dean William Macpherson
- Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation: Blade Nzimande
- Minister of Small Business Development: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
- Minister of Social Development: Dinah Pule
- Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Gayton McKenzie
- Minister of Tourism: Patricia de Lille
- Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition: Parks Tau
- Minister of Transport: Barbara Creecy
- Minister of Water and Sanitation: Pemmy Castelina Pamela Majodina
- Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Sindisiwe Chikunga
Frequently asked questions
Who is the president of South Africa?
Cyril Ramaphosa, president since February 2018, re-elected by the National Assembly on 14 June 2024.
How is the president of South Africa elected?
By the National Assembly, from among its own members, after each general election or when the office becomes vacant. Voters do not elect the president directly.
How many terms can the president of South Africa serve?
Two. The constitution bars anyone from holding the office for more than two terms.
Who was the first president of South Africa after apartheid?
Nelson Mandela, who served from 10 May 1994 to 14 June 1999.
When was Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa born?
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born in 1952-11-17, in Soweto, according to Wikidata.
Where did Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa study?
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa studied at Harvard University, Yale University, Damelin, according to Wikidata.
Which party does Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa belong to?
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is listed as a member of African National Congress on Wikidata.
More on PollsAfrica
Sources: South African Government (gov.za) (retrieved 11 Oct 2026).
Cite this
PollsAfrica (2026). Head of state, South Africa. Retrieved 26 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/south-africa/head-of-state