Heads of state start arriving for Ramaphosa inauguration

Ramaphosa will be inaugurated for the second term at the Union Buildings on Wednesday. 

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

Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca was welcomed by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi while Cuba Vice President Salvador Mesa was welcomed by  Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

Outgoing International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa had invited several heads of state to attend the inauguration. 

"A large number of the invitations have gone to heads of state of the SADC region, central and east Africa, as well as all the chairpersons of the regional economic and, of course, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, the president of the Pan African Parliament. Those would be the guests.

“We have also invited various representatives of countries represented in South Africa, members of the diplomatic coup, and heads of international organisations located in South Africa," she said.

The Presidency confirmed that 18 heads of state and government, three former heads of state and nine heads of delegation are expected to attend. 

“Countries that will be represented at a high level at the inauguration include the Kingdom of eSwatini and Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republics of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda, the People’s Republic of China, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Palestine and the Republic of Cuba," said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Meanwhile, The Airports Company South Africa confirmed that the passenger Terminal Arrivals Road and the Cargo Road will be temporarily closed from Tuesday until Saturday.

ACSA Regional General Manager Jabulani Khambule said this is meant to facilitate the arrival and departure of heads of state.

"To properly manage the flow of traffic, kindly note that vehicles on airport roadways will be diverted by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department to the departures (upper) roadway as well as Parkade 2 South, Levels 2 and 3, for pick-up and drop-off purposes," said Khambule.