Facts About South African Past and Present Presidents.

With the latest on-going crisis in South Africa, stemming from the City of Johannesburg being broke or insolvent or bankrupt to the anti-foreigner's protest, Braamfontein Alive; takes a read from history book to pick the best president in the history of rainbow nation - Zuid Afrika.

Since 1994, South Africa has had five democratically elected presidents: Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma, and the incumbent, Cyril Ramaphosa. These leaders, representing the African National Congress (ANC), have led the country following the end of Apartheid

Presidents of South Africa (1994–Present) Nelson Mandela (1994–1999): The first president of a democratic South Africa.

Thabo Mbeki (1999–2008): Succeeded Mandela, resigned in 2008.

Kgalema Motlanthe (2008–2009): Served as interim president.

Jacob Zuma (2009–2018): Served two terms, resigned in 2018.

Cyril Ramaphosa (2018–Present): Took office after Zuma's resignation, re-elected in 2024.

The South African political terance is full of unresolvable vendetta in the ANC party which resulted into some re-calling of one or two past-presidents.

The facts circulating among locals revealed the following:

1. Nelson Mandela: A lot of South Africans believed the late-state man and father of South African democracy betrayed the black people of the country by selling out the country to the white people during post-apartheid negotiation.

Ironically, Nelson Mandela; was celebrated by white people!

2. Thabo Mbeki: The fact still remains that, Thabo sold out the only local bank of the country at that time (ABSA). Originally formed in 1991 as Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA) through the merger of Allied, United, and Volkskas groups. 

The government controlling shared was sold to the British financial giant Barclays Bank and this didn't settle down well with a lot of South Africans.

3.Jacob Zuma: Though, his tenure in office was cut short through the continuous political vendetta in the ANC but it was recorded for him as the best president in the Southern Hemisphere of Africa; that he led well. A king that rules a nation and the people prosper, flourish and grow; will never be forgotten. The statistics are available that JZ made more black people millions during his tenure and that country also grows.

4. Cyril Ramaphosa: He will be remembered as a president who knows how to eat alone and hides dollars in a couch while refusing to re-sign.

By Olagunju Success Taiwo.

ConCourt rekindles Ramaphosa cash-in-sofa saga

The National Assembly ‘rule is inconsistent with the Constitution, invalid and it is set aside,’ Judge Mandisa Maya said.

South Africa’s top court faulted parliament’s decision to quash a report that fuelled efforts to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa from office over his handling of a burglary at his game farm.

The National Assembly “rule is inconsistent with the Constitution, invalid and it is set aside,” Constitutional Court (ConCourt) Judge Mandisa Maya said in a judgment delivered in Johannesburg on Friday.

Full story at Money Web.

By S'thembile Cele and Ntando Thukwana

Bankrupt Joburg imperils national economy, warns Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana

DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille is pressing for Joburg to be placed under National Treasury financial administration, while the ANC wants a meeting with the minister to protect a two-year, R10.3bn staff wage deal.

On 23 April, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana wrote to the Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero, stating that the City could not afford its recent salary increases.

At issue is a R10.3-billion, two-year salary deal the City signed with the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in November 2025 to ward off protests ahead of the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. Workers say it addresses the outstanding salaries and benefits that they’ve been awaiting for years.

By Ferial Haffajee

Full story at  Daily Maverick.

ConCourt to rule on EFF Phala Phala bid this Friday as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa

ConCourt to rule on EFF Phala Phala bid this Friday
as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa
© Provided by Independent Media

The Constitutional Court will deliver its long-awaited judgment on the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) bid to revive the Phala Phala matter on Friday, May 8, as pressure mounts on President Cyril Ramaphosa and concerns about accountability.

The apex court confirmed the date on Tuesday afternoon.

“Kindly be informed that the judgment in this matter will be handed down at the Constitutional Court on Friday, 08 May 2026 at 10h00,” said Chief Registrar Simoné-Lanique Tjamela.

Full story at IOL.

By Simon Majadibodu.

In the spotlight: Bajabulise Thela

Braamfontein Alive introducing:

Bajabulise Thela, as a South African model, qualified flight attendant, and the crowned Miss Mpumalanga 2024. 

Hailing from KaNyamazane, she is the founder of the Mambane Foundation, focused on fighting hunger and empowering young girls. She is known for her work in community development, pageantry, and aspirations to empower youth.

Key Details about Bajabulise Thela:

Pageantry: She was crowned Miss Mpumalanga 2024, as seen in this video. In 2021, she was the reigning Miss Teen Supranational South Africa, preparing to compete in Guatemala, according to this article from The Citizen.

Background: She is from KaNyamazane and represented the Enhlanzeni District.

Education & Career: She completed a marketing management qualification at the University of Johannesburg and is a qualified flight attendant.

Philanthropy: She founded the Mambane Foundation to fight hunger and empower young girls.

Philosophy: Her motto is "we are making the impossible, possible as we are the generation of change"

She's in the news for the right reason of fulfilling her dream of becoming the next Miss African Beauty South Africa 2026 - Preliminary competition to Miss Universe & Miss Supranational and Voting opens from: 1 May - 30 June 2026.

Interested fans, well-wishers, supporters, friends and family can throw their supports behind her through the voting exercise. Below is the link to vote for her:

Imperial Vote - She's contestant 11.

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo

Three (3) Bitter Truth About South Africa.

The lands belong to the White South Africans.

The finance and wealth belong to Foreigners.

Only human-right belongs to Black, Colored, Indian and Chinese's South Africans!

The reason, the black populace depends on protests~

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo.