Cyril Ramaphosa

Who is Cyril Ramaphosa?

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African politician, businessman, activist, and trade union leader. He was elected as Deputy President of the African National Congress at the ANC National Conference in Mangaung in December 2012. While Ramaphosa was previously a major figure in South African national politics, he has in recent years become a prominent figure in the business community.

Widely respected as a skilful and formidable negotiator and strategist, Ramaphosa built up the biggest and most powerful trade union in South Africa—the National Union of Mineworkers —and played a crucial role, with Roelf Meyer of the National Party, during the negotiations to bring about a peaceful end to apartheid and steer the country towards its first democratic elections in April 1994.

In recent times he has been criticised however for his business interests - including a seat on the board of Lonmin. On 15 August 2012 he called for action against striking platinum miners engaged in 'dastardly criminal' conduct.

He is married to Dr. Tshepo Motsepe and he has four children.