President of South Africa - Wikipedia President of South Africa This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 24 May 2018. This article is about the position of South African head of state and head of government from 1994. For the position of South African head of state from 1961 to 1994, see State President of South Africa. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2009 ) President of the Republic of South Africa List 10 other official names : President van Suid - Afrika ( Afrikaans ) uMongameli weSewula Afrika ( Southern Ndebele ) uMongameli waseMzantsi Afrika ( Xhosa ) Umongameli waseNingizimu Afrika ( Zulu ) uMengameli weleNingizimu Afrika ( Swati ) Mopresidente wa Afrika Borwa ( Northern Sotho ) Mopresident wa Afrika Borwa ( Sotho ) Moporesitente wa Aforika Borwa ( Tswana ) Puresidente wa Afrika - Dzonga ( Tsonga ) Muphuresidennde wa Afrika Tshipembe ( Venda ) Seal of the President of South Africa Incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa since 15 February 2018 Style His Excellency Residence Mahlamba Ndlopfu ( Pretoria ) Genadendal ( Cape Town ) Dr. John L. Dube House ( Durban ) Appointer National Assembly of South Africa Term length 5 years renewable once Inaugural holder Nelson Mandela Formation 10 May 1994 Deputy Deputy President of South Africa Salary R 2,900,000 ( $ 251,127 ) Website www.thepresidency.gov.za South Africa This article is part of a series on the politics and government of South Africa Constitution Bill of Rights Executive President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy President David Mabuza Cabinet Shadow Cabinet Legislative National Council of Provinces Chairperson Thandi Modise National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete Leader of the Opposition Mmusi Maimane Judiciary Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng Deputy Chief Justice Ray Zondo Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal President : Mandisa Maya High Court Magistrate 's courts Electoral Court Elections General 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 Municipal 2000 2006 2011 2016 Referendums 1960 1983 1992 Political parties Administrative divisions Provinces Districts Metropolitan municipality District municipality Municipalities ( list ) Foreign relations Minister of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic missions Passport Related topics Human rights Taxation Protests Repression Political assassinations Other countries Atlas The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under the Constitution of South Africa. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President. The President is elected by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, and is usually the leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress since the first non-racial elections were held on 27 April 1994. The Constitution limits the president 's time in office to two five - year terms. The first president to be elected under the new constitution was Nelson Mandela. The incumbent is Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected by the National Assembly on 15 February 2018 following the resignation of Jacob Zuma. Under the interim constitution ( valid from 1994 to 1996 ), there was a Government of National Unity, in which a Member of Parliament ( MP ) from the largest opposition party was entitled to a position as Deputy President. Along with Thabo Mbeki, the last State President, F.W. de Klerk also served as Deputy President, in his capacity as the leader of the National Party which was the second - largest party in the new Parliament. But De Klerk later resigned and went into opposition with his party. A voluntary coalition government continues to exist under the new constitution ( adopted in 1996 ), although there have been no appointments of opposition politicians to the post of Deputy President. The President is required to be a member of the National Assembly at the time of his election. Upon his election, he immediately resigns his seat for the duration of his term. The President may be removed either by a motion of no - confidence or an impeachment trial. Contents 1 Origins 2 Electoral system 3 Oath or affirmation 4 Tenure of office 5 Responsibilities of the President 6 Succession 7 Presidential powers 8 Powers and Functions of the President 9 Presidents of South Africa ( 1994 -- present ) 10 Latest election 11 See also 12 References 13 External links Origins The office of the President, and the roles that come with it, were established by Chapter Five of the Constitution of South Africa which was formed by a Constituent Assembly upon the dissolution of apartheid as state policy. A number of manifestations of the office have existed. Aspects of these offices exist within the presidency today. The executive leadership of the British colonies of Natal and of the Cape of Good Hope were invested in their Governors, likewise was invested in the Presidents of the Boer republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. Alternating sovereignty as a result of wars culminated in the Vereeniging Treaty signed in which concluded the South African War. The Union of South Africa, a British Dominion, was established on 31 May 1910 with the British monarch as titular head of state, represented by a viceroy, the Governor - General. Upon the declaration of the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961, the office of State President was created. It was originally a ceremonial post, but became an executive post in 1984 when a new constitution abolished the post of Prime Minister and transferred its powers to the State President. Electoral system South Africa has an almost unique system for the election of its president. Unlike other former British colonies and dominions who have adopted a parliamentary republican form of government and those that follow the Westminster system, South Africa 's President is both head of state and head of government and Commander - in - Chief of the South African National Defence Force ( SANDF ). Contrary to presidential systems around the world, the President of South Africa is elected by the Parliament of South Africa rather than by the people directly. He is thus answerable to it in theory and able to influence legislation in practice as head of the majority party ( presently the ANC ). The President is elected at the first sitting of Parliament after an election, and whenever a vacancy arises. The President is elected by the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, from among its members. The chief justice must oversee the election. Once elected, a person is no longer a member of the National Assembly. They must then be sworn in as President within five days of the election. Should a vacancy arise, the date of a new election must be set by the chief justice, but not more than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. The Constitution has thus prescribed a system combining both parliamentary and presidential systems in a unique manner. Only Botswana and a few other countries use a similar system. Between 1996 and 2003 Israel combined the two systems in an opposite way, with an elected prime minister. Although the presidency is the key institution, it is hedged about with numerous checks and balances that prevent its total dominance over the government, as was the case in many African countries. The presidential term is five years, with a limit of two terms. Thus the electoral system attempts ( at least on paper ) to prevent the accumulation of power in the president as was during Apartheid or in many other African countries. Oath or affirmation The President - elect will, before formally assuming office, make and subscribe an oath or solemn affirmation in the terms set out in Schedule 3 before the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court. Tenure of office The President elected in terms of section 77 ( 1 ) ( a ) is subjected to sections 87 and 93 ( 2 ), hold office : ( a ) for the period terminating on a date five years as from the date of the date of the first sitting of the National Assembly under the Constitution ; or ( b ) if the Parliament is dissolved during such period, for the period until a President has been elected in terms of section 77 ( 1 ) ( b ) after such dissolution and has assumed office. Responsibilities of the President ( 1 ) The President is responsible for the observance of the provision of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land ( 2 ) The President provides with dignity the executive leadership in the interest of national unity in accordance with the Constitution and the law of the country. ( 3 ) The President can not hold any other public office and can not perform remunerative work outside the duties of the president 's office. Succession According to chapter five of the constitution, the President can only exercise the powers of his or her office while within the Republic of South Africa. Should the president be outside of the country, or unable to fulfil the duties of the office, they may appoint an acting president. The presidential vacancy should be filled first by the Deputy President, then cabinet minister selected by the President, then a cabinet minister selected by the cabinet, and finally by the Speaker of the National Assembly. Presidential powers The President is the head of state, head of government and commander - in - chief of the armed forces of the Republic of South Africa. The rights, responsibilities and remuneration of the President are enumerated in Chapter V of the Constitution of South Africa and subsequent amendments and laws passed by the Parliament of South Africa. The executive powers of the Republic are vested in the President. He appoints various officials to positions listed in the Constitution however the most significant are the ministers and justices of the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Through the Cabinet, the President implements and enforces the constitution and laws and enforces his or her political objectives. Judges are appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. The President plays a role in the formation of legislation. He or she signs bills into laws and can do the opposite, veto them ( although subject to an override ), refers bills back to Parliament or to the Constitutional Court or can call for a referendum. The president summons parliament, often delivering his or her objectives and agenda in a State of the Nation Address at the beginning of each session. The President is the Commander - in - Chief of the South African National Defence Force thereby possessing influence or control over foreign and security policy. He or she is accorded the constitutional powers to declare war and make peace, negotiate and sign ( although not ratify ) treaties ( and the alliances that may come with them ), and receives and appoints diplomatic officials, confers honours and grants pardons. Powers and functions of the President ( 1 ) The President performs the following powers and functions : ( a ) Sign bills duly passed by parliament. ( b ) Convey meetings with Cabinet ( c ) Refer disputes of a constitutional nature between parties represented in Parliament or between organs of state at any level of government to the Constitutional Court. ( d ) Confer honours. ( e ) Appoint, accredit, receive and recognise ambassadors, diplomatic representatives and other diplomatic officials. ( f ) Appoint commissions of inquiry. ( g ) Negotiate and sign international agreements ( 2 ) The President shall consult the Executive Deputy President. ( a ) In development and execution of the policies of the international government. ( b ) All matters relating to the management of the Cabinet and performance of Cabinet business. ( c ) Assign and allocation of functions contemplated in section 84 ( 5 ) to an Executive Deputy President. ( 3 ) The President exercises and performs all powers and functions assigned to him by the Constitution or any other law, except those specified in subsections ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) or where otherwise expressly or by implication provided in this Constitution in consultation with the cabinet. Provided that the cabinet may delegate it 's consultation functions in terms of the subsection, with reference to any particular power or function of the president, to any Minister of Ministers. ( 4 ) ( a ) The President in the Commander - in - Chief of the National Defence Force ( b ) The President may - ( ii ) With approval of the Parliament, declare a state of national defence. ( iii ) Employ the national defence force in accordance with and subject to sections 227 and 228. The President is addressed as `` Your Excellency '' or `` Mr / Madam President '' and referred to as `` The Honourable ( name ) ''. The official seat of the President are the Union Buildings in Pretoria and the Tuynhuys in Cape Town. His living residences are Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria, Genadendal in Cape Town and Dr John L Dube House in Durban. Presidents of South Africa ( 1994 -- present ) Parties African National Congress No. Portrait Name and lifespan Term of office -- Electoral mandates Length of tenure Parliament Political party Government Refs Nelson Mandela ( 1918 -- 2013 ) 10 May 1994 14 June 1999 5 years, 35 days 22nd ANC Mandela ( Reshuffle 1 2 3 ) ANC -- NP -- IFP 1994 The first post-apartheid President of South Africa. The first black chief executive of South Africa, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress ( ANC ) party from 1991 to 1997. Thabo Mbeki ( born 1942 ) 14 June 1999 21 May 9 years, 102 days 23rd ANC Mbeki I ANC -- IFP 21 May 24 September 2008 24th Mbeki II ( Reshuffle 1 2 ) 1999, 2004 The second post-apartheid President of South Africa. On 20 September 2008, with about nine months left in his second term, Mbeki announced his resignation after being recalled by the National Executive Committee of the ANC, following a conclusion by judge C.R. Nicholson of improper interference in the National Prosecuting Authority ( NPA ), including the prosecution of Jacob Zuma for corruption. On 12 January 2009, the Supreme Court of Appeal unanimously overturned judge Nicholson 's judgment but the resignation stood. Kgalema Motlanthe ( born 1949 ) 25 September 2008 9 May 2009 228 days 24th ANC Motlanthe 2008 The third post-apartheid President of South Africa. He was elected following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki and briefly served before being succeeded by Jacob Zuma, who later appointed Motlanthe deputy president. Jacob Zuma ( born 1942 ) 9 May 2009 21 May 2014 8 years, 281 days 25th ANC Zuma I ( Reshuffle 1 2 3 ) 21 May 2014 14 February 2018 26th Zuma II 2009, 2014 The fourth post-apartheid President of South Africa. Presided over the centennial celebration of the ANC in 2015 as well as the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013. With less than a year before his term were to expire, Zuma resigned on 14 February 2018 following the demands of the ANC that Zuma should resign, or risk facing a successful vote of no confidence in the National Assembly. 5 Cyril Ramaphosa ( born 1952 ) 15 February 2018 Incumbent 104 days 26th ANC Ramaphosa 2018 The fifth post-apartheid President of South Africa. He was elected following the resignation of Jacob Zuma. Latest election Main article : South African presidential election, 2018 See also List of heads of state of South Africa State President of South Africa Prime Minister of South Africa Governor - General of the Union of South Africa State President of the South African Republic ( 1857 -- 1902 ) State President of the Orange Free State Freedom Day References Jump up ^ `` This is how much Ramaphosa could earn as president in 2018 and beyond ''. businesstech.co.za. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 23 Feb 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 - Chapter 5 : The President and National Executive, 88. Term of office of President ''. Jump up ^ `` General History of South Africa Timeline : 1910s ''. Jump up ^ `` General History of South Africa Timeline : 1960s ''. Jump up ^ `` Voting Completed to Elect New President ''. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Chapter 5 - The President and National Executive ''. The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Retrieved 30 January 2016. Jump up ^ `` Botswana ''. Jump up ^ `` Elections in South Africa ''. Jump up ^ `` Succession planning for dummies ''. Daily Maverick. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2016. Jump up ^ `` Responsibilities of the President of South Africa ''. Jump up ^ The Presidency ( 14 October 2004 ). `` GCIS : profile information : Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Mr ''. GCIS. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007. Retrieved 27 November 2007. Jump up ^ `` Cabinet bids farewell to Mbeki ''. SABC news. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008. His resignation came into effect at midnight. Jump up ^ `` SA 's Mbeki says he will step down ''. London : BBC News. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008. Jump up ^ `` Full Zuma Judgment ''. News24. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 31 October 2008. Jump up ^ `` Judge Nicholson Red - carded by SCA ''. Mail&Guardian Online. 12 January 2009. Jump up ^ `` National Director of Public Prosecutions v Zuma ( 573 / 08 ) ( 2009 ) ZASCA 1 ( 12 Jan 2009 ) '' ( PDF ). South African Supreme Court of Appeal. 12 January 2009. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 20 March 2009. Jump up ^ `` Mbeki lashes out at lying politicians ''. IOL / The Star. 14 January 2009. ^ Jump up to : `` Zuma sworn in as SA 's fourth democratic President ''. SABC. 9 May 2009. Archived from the original on 29 May 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2009. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Presidents of South Africa. 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Question: who was the first elected president of south africa
Answer: Nelson Mandela