The election of Cyril Ramaphosa as president of the ANC denotes a new chapter in the political landscape. Ramaphosa was a key protagonist in the execution of the struggle via the mass mobilisation movement and has a solid track record in the trade union movement and in student politics. Those who are seen to be representing the exiles and the islanders have become presidents of the ANC and the republic — Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. In the run-up to the conference that elected Ramaphosa, there were murmurs of this moment signifying a change in the leadership configurations of the ANC. The antagonisms between the exiles, Robben Island prisoners and people who waged the struggle inside SA have not been as glaring as during the ANC’s 1991 conference in Durban where Ramaphosa was elected secretary-general. This is a demonstration of the ANC’s ability to work as a collective and unite behind its vision and programmes. Through the skills he acquired as a lawyer, trade union...
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