South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa recently rallied tens of thousands of African National Congress (ANC) supporters at a vibrant event in Mbombela, Northeast South Africa, exhorting them to assess the nation's progress since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.
Adorned in the party's iconic green and yellow colors, Ramaphosa celebrated the "significant progress" achieved by the ANC over the past three decades, citing tangible advancements made since Nelson Mandela took office in 1994.
The festive atmosphere at the packed stadium served as the backdrop for Ramaphosa's impassioned address, in which he underlined the strides made by the ANC and emphasized the theme of genuine advancement.
"We have made significant progress over the last 30 years," Ramaphosa told the ANC supporters.
The President also took the opportunity to make a veiled reference to his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, who remains influential despite facing corruption charges and ousted from the party in 2018. Notably, Zuma has recently aligned with the new Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party, named after the former paramilitary wing of the ANC during the apartheid struggle.
In a gesture of unity and recognition, Ramaphosa commended all ANC supporters, including veterans of the MK, whilst light-heartedly acknowledging the "real" MK veterans with a smile.
Furthermore, the leader outlined his commitment to the "reconstruction of our economy" amidst significant unemployment, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat crime and corruption and revitalize the nation.
Ramaphosa also lauded the achievements of the nation's youth, specifically highlighting the global influence of amapiano music. Displaying his humorous side, the 71-year-old President joked about teaching the national chairperson to dance to amapiano.
"I am going to teach the national chairperson to dance to amapiano once I've learned myself," joked the 71-year-old president.