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.