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.
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.
ALSO READ: Shack fires: NPO teaches youths to become firefighters
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.
ALSO READ: Tensions in multi-party charter after Steenhuisen’s PEP comments