Here’s Who Will Take Ramaphosa’s Place in the National Assembly Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation, David Mabuza will become the Acting President of South Africa and assume Ramaphosa’s seat in the National Assembly. Mabuza, previously the deputy president, is a seasoned politician with a long history in government. He has held various cabinet positions, including Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Minister of Environmental Affairs, and Premier of Mpumalanga province. Mabuza is expected to serve as Acting President until the ruling African National Congress (ANC) holds an elective conference to choose a new party leader and, by extension, a new president. The ANC’s next elective conference is scheduled to take place later this year. In addition to Mabuza, several other prominent figures have been mentioned as potential successors to Ramaphosa. These include: * Paul Mashatile: Minister of Transport and former Premier of Gauteng province. * Lindiwe Sisulu: Minister of Tourism and former Minister of Human Settlements. * Gwede Mantashe: Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and former ANC Secretary-General. * Oscar Mabuyane: Premier of the Eastern Cape province and former ANC provincial chairperson. The ANC’s elective conference will provide an opportunity for the party to debate its future direction and select a leader who can unite the party and lead South Africa through its current challenges.Presidential Succession in the National AssemblyPresidential Succession in the National Assembly The leadership of the National Assembly is a crucial aspect of South African governance, with the position of president holding significant responsibilities. By law, once the president is elected from among the 400 members of the National Assembly, they relinquish their membership, necessitating the appointment of a replacement. This important task recently fell upon former Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau. Parks Tau’s Journey to the National Assembly Parks Tau, a seasoned politician with over a decade of government service, has embarked on a new chapter in his career. From 2011 to 2016, he served as mayor of Johannesburg, demonstrating his leadership and administrative capabilities. He has also held various other positions, including Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and member of the National Assembly’s sixth parliament. On Wednesday afternoon, Tau officially took the oath as a member of parliament, replacing President Cyril Ramaphosa, who vacated his seat upon his election. The ANC’s Decline in Representation In recent elections, the ANC has experienced a gradual decline in its seats in the National Assembly. In 2009, the party held a two-thirds majority with 249 seats, but this number steadily decreased in subsequent elections. The 2019 election resulted in a further drop to 230 votes, and the May 2024 results delivered a significant blow, with the ANC securing only 159 seats. President Ramaphosa’s Call for Unity During his inauguration speech, President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of a Government of National Unity (GNU) and urged South Africans to place their trust in it. He stressed that only those committed to working for the betterment of the nation would be included in the cabinet. Job creation was high on the president’s priority list. He stated that all members of the GNU would be tasked with finding ways to reduce unemployment and that he would personally ensure the success of these efforts.Ramaphosa’s Parliament Seat to be Filled The National Assembly has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will resign from his seat in Parliament, effective immediately. Ramaphosa’s resignation follows his resignation as President of South Africa last week. Deputy President David Mabuza will take over as interim President and will also assume the presidency of the ANC. The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet in the coming days to appoint a replacement for Ramaphosa in the National Assembly. The NEC has a list of candidates who are eligible to fill the vacancy, including former ministers and current members of Parliament. The new MP will be sworn in at the next sitting of the National Assembly.