Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected president of South Africa by a parliamentary vote less than 16 hours after the resignation of his rival Jacob Zuma, following days of defiant refusal to leave office.

The appointment of Ramaphosa – who, as deputy president, became interim leader immediately after Zuma’s late-night resignation on Wednesday – as head of state was announced by South Africa’s chief justice in Cape Town who presided over the vote.

Ramaphosa, wearing a dark suit and red tie, sat quietly while lawmakers from the ruling African National Congress stood, clapped and sang in celebration. He was elected unopposed.

The ANC has a substantial majority in parliament and the vote was effectively a formality. Though deeply divided, the ANC has already closed ranks after the crisis of recent days and has rallied around Ramaphosa, 65.

 

For more read the full of article at The Guardian