BUSA welcomes re-election of Ramaphosa as President

Ramaphosa was re-elected at the first sitting of the National Assembly at the Cape Town Convention Centre on Friday.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo presided over the sitting, which saw Ramaphosa nominated by new ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli.

Ramaphosa came up against EFF leader Julius Malema, who was nominated by UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa.

He received 238 votes while Malema received only 44 votes.

Ramaphosa's re-election came after some two weeks of negotiations with various political parties to form a government of national unity.

In a statement, BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia, also welcomed the election of Thoko Didiza and Annelie Lotriet as the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly.

Didiza, was nominated by the party’s outgoing chief whip, Pemmy Majodina.

She came up against the EFF’s national chairperson Veronica Mente, who was nominated by ATM President Vuyolwethu Zungula, and seconded by UDM President Bantu Holomisa.

Coovadia says the business community and the rest of the country were eagerly awaiting the elections, which marks the beginning of the Government of National Unity.

"The dignified manner in which the election of the President and Presiding Officers was conducted is a testament to the maturity of our democracy.

"We are eager to collaborate with President Ramaphosa and his government and await the appointment of Cabinet members. Similarly, as the representative of organised business, we are ready to engage with the National Assembly and its Presiding Officers as they carry out their legislative duties.

"As the business community, we firmly believe in the potential of this country and are fully committed to playing our part in its development. We are convinced that through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, we can make a substantial and positive impact on our nation and foster a sense of hope for all South Africans."

ALSO READ