Mandela’s ally replaces Zuma

THE man Nelson Mandela wanted to be his successor 19 years ago was yesterday named the new president of South Africa.

Anti-apartheid campaigner Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption, in a reference to claims made against his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Mr Zuma quit on Wednesday under pressure from the ruling African National Congress party, which he had dominated during nine years in power.

Mr Ramaphosa, pictured, was Mandela’s chief negotiator during the end of apartheid and helped write South Africa’s constitution after white minority rule ended. He was favoured by Mandela to succeed him as head of the ANC and president in 1999, but Thabo Mbeki won the party leadership ahead of him.

He became one of Africa’s richest men before returning to politics as ANC deputy president in 2012. Now 65, he was elected head of the party in December.