Nelson Mandela auction
Nelson Mandela’s ID book is one of the items that were to be auctioned off by his daughter, Makaziwe Mandela. Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

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How many presidents have South Africa had since 1994?

The president of South Africa is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of South Africa.

30-01-24 10:03
Nelson Mandela auction
Nelson Mandela’s ID book is one of the items that were to be auctioned off by his daughter, Makaziwe Mandela. Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

The president of South Africa is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of South Africa.

The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force.

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 (ANC) since the first multiracial election was held on 27 April 1994.

The constitution limits the president’s time in office to two five-year terms.

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PRESIDENTS OF SOUTH AFRICA SINCE 1994

1. NELSON MANDELA

Took office: 10 May 1994

Left office: 14 June 1999

Time in office: 5 years, 35 days

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 ANC party from 1991 to 1997.

2. THABO MBEKI

First term

Took office: 14 June 1999

Left office: 21 May 2004

Second term

Took office: 21 May 2004

Left office: 24 September 2008

Time in office: 9 years, 102 days

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.

3. KGALEMA MOTLANTHE

Took office: 25 September 2008

Left office: 9 May 2009

Time in office: 228 days

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.

4. JACOB ZUMA

First term

Took office: 9 May 2009

Left office: 21 May 2014

Second term

Took office: 21 May 2014

Left office: 14 February 2018

Time in office: 8 years, 281 days

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 was 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 by the National Assembly.

5. CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

First term

Took office: 15 February 2018

Left office: 22 May 2019

Second term

Took office: 22 May 2019

Left office: Incumbent

Time in office: 5 years, 348 days (correct at time of publishing)

The fifth post-apartheid president of South Africa, elected following the resignation of Jacob Zuma.

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