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President Ramaphosa
New Stamps

President Ramaphosa 2024

Text by Dineo Poo

Stamp issue date: 16 November 2024
Artwork: The Presidency
Stamp size: 33.571 x 31.981 mm
Stamp sheet size: 59.962 x 148.5 mm
Paper: Vellum Extra (uncoated) Self Adhesive Paper - Plain Back - Permanent
Quantity printed: 750 000 Single Stamps, B4 Rate
Colour: CMYK + Pantone spot metallic
Phosphor: None
Printing process: Offset Lithography
Printed by: Mortimer Offset (Pry) Ltd, Germiston

His Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, became the President of the seventh administration of a democratic South Africa when he was inaugurated at the Union Buildings on 19 June 2024. Ramaphosa is in his second and final term as the country’s first citizen. 

When Ramaphosa was born in Soweto on 17 November 1952, South Africa was in the infancy of Apartheid. Ramaphosa cut his teeth in politics when he was registered as a law student at the University of the North in 1972. There he joined the South African Students Organisation and the Black People’s Convention. His involvement led to his detention in solitary confinement. Ramaphosa, had to complete his law studies through the University of South Africa. He became an articled clerk at a law firm in Johannesburgand then worked at the Council of Unions of South Africa.

Ramaphosa has been a pioneer in most of his life. He launched the Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982 and he became its Secretary.  As Secretary, Ramaphosa was at the forefront when the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) was formed in 1985. Ramaphosa’s COSATU and the United Democratic Forum (UDF) combined forces to fight Apartheid as the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM). His latest innovation is the ‘Government of National Unity’ (GNU). When his party, the African National Congress (ANC), lost its significant majority in the 2024 National election, Ramaphosa extended an invitation to all willing parties to join the ANC in the formation of the GNU. Thiswas a master stroke as he has been able to form a diverse yet united government.

Ramaphosa served as chairman of the National Reception committee for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was elected General-Secretary of the ANC in July 1991 and Chairperson of the New Constitutional Assembly. He vacated both positions to focus on business in 1996. He led the negotiations team of the ANC and participated at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). Ramaphosa was one of the crafters of the Constitution adopted in 1996.

He joined New Africa Investments and established the Shanduka Foundation which incorporated his business concerns. Shanduka later became the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. He received the Olof Palme Prize in 1987, the National Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2009 and has Honorary Doctorates from numerous universities.

Ramaphosa was elected Deputy President of the ANC in 2012 and appointed Deputy President of South Africa in 2014. On 18 December 2017, he was elected to the position of the 13th President of the ANC and became the President of South Africa on Thursday 15 February 2018. He was again inaugurated as the President in 2024.

The South African Post Office has honoured his new Presidential term with a set of B4 local stamps and a Stamp Card. Both are available at Philatelic Services and at select Post Office. The stamp issue incorporates the design style developed by The Presidency for the Presidential inauguration of 19 June 2024. These designs reflect a blend of modern sophistication and combine the South African Coat of Arms and 30 Years of Democracy with stylized renderings of the Union Buildings and the South African flag. These designs were adapted for this set by Thea Clemons of Philatelic Services.

Costs:

6 B4 stamp x 1 sheet = 6 x R15,45c = R92,70c
1 Commemorative Stamp Card = R21,45c

In a history making first for the Post Office, the stamps were printed by Mortimer Offset, a South African company selected for its excellent printing and finishing capabilities as well as for their secure processes.

The stamps will be available at Philatelic Services from 20 January 2025. Order now by emailing your order form to:

SA.stamps@postoffice.co.za
Proof.Manganyi@postoffice.co.za
Simphiwe.Zungu@postoffice.co.za

References:

www.thepresidency.gov.za/profiles/president-cyril-ramaphosa
www.dpme.gov.za/about/Pages/President-Cyril-Ramaphosa.aspx
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Ramaphosa
www.Britannica.com/Cyril Ramaphosa
https://www.gov.za/inauguration2024