For Jacob Zuma, the end seemed inevitable.

With his country in economic decline and nearly 800 allegations of corruption levied against him, Zuma’s own party, the African National Congress, had turned against him.

Their ultimatum – resign or face a vote of no confidence. Following Zuma’s resignation the ANC moved quickly – electing Zuma’s deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, as South Africa’s next president.

To discuss this:

• Ebrahim Rasool who served as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States.

For more on South Africa’s future:

• Simon Barber is a veteran South African journalist.
• James Early served as director of Cultural Heritage Policy with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
• Nhlanhla Sehume covers South African politics as a journalist and radio news anchor in Johannesburg.

For more:

#BREAKING: South Africa's acting President Cyril Ramaphosa is elected to be the new president, following #Zuma's resignation pic.twitter.com/pOrSmAsAZi

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 15, 2018

Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa's new president https://t.co/bICijaVYfw #PresidentElection pic.twitter.com/oUajld90Vt

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 15, 2018

Cyril Ramaphosa, one of South Africa's richest men, is now its president. He vows to address gaping inequality. https://t.co/9OP0CvjC17

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 15, 2018