Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Final preparations are under way for Saturday’s inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa at Pretoria’s Loftus Versveld Stadium.
The glittering event is expected to coast US$10 million, far less than the US$18 million government spent for the inauguration of former President Jacob Zuma in 2014. About 2,500 police officers and soldiers will be deployed in an around the stadium.
The inauguration will be held under the theme “Together celebrating democracy: Renewal and growth for a better South Africa” and it will coincide with the continental celebrations of Africa Day. It is also the anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity which was formed in Ethiopia in 1963.
Invited guests include representatives from the African Union, the United Nations, members of the diplomatic corps, eminent persons and South Africa’s former Presidents FW De Klerk, Kgalema Motlanthe, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
US President Donald Trump is sending a “presidential delegation” to attend the event. Kimberly Reed, President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, will lead that delegation.
President Ramaphosa is expected to announce his new executive by Monday.
-0- PANA CU/MA 24May2019
