South Africa’s Ramaphosa vows to tackle the nation’s woes

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed his government will effectively tackle the country’s pressing problems of corruption, nationwide power cuts, high unemployment and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramaphosa said South Africans are engaged in a battle for the soul of the country and he pledged to fight against corruption, to work to create jobs and to achieve a more just and equal society. Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation address at Cape Town City Hall instead of at the Parliament building which was gutted by fire last month. It was the first time since South Africa’s achievement of democracy in 1994 that the presidential address was delivered outside the 138-year-old Parliament building.