By Celani Sikhakhane
- Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa shared jokes at the new eZulwini Palazza International Convention Centre in eSwatini over the weekend.
- Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa paused their ANC fight to celebrate King Mswati ruling the eSwatini kingdom for 40 years.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and former President Jacob Zuma surprised many South Africans over the weekend. The two political enemies shared jokes and shook hands in eSwatini.
The leaders met at the new eZulwini Palazza International Convention Centre. They put their political differences aside in front of African leaders and kings.
Ramaphosa and Zuma went to eSwatini to celebrate the Ruby Jubilee of King Mswati III. The nationwide celebration marked the king spending 40 years on the throne. The event also celebrated his 58th birthday. The celebrations ran from 24 April to 27 April 2026.
The friendly handshake got people talking back in South Africa. Some people were happy to see the former comrades together again. Other people said the two men were just acting professionally on an international stage.
The jokes come just months after Zuma attacked Ramaphosa. Zuma said at a public gathering that Ramaphosa is a sell-out who only cares about white people.
Zuma also said Ramaphosa is destroying the African National Congress (ANC) and ruining the gains achieved by past presidents.
The fight between the two men started at the ANC elective conference in Nasrec in 2017. Ramaphosa defeated Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the conference. Dlamini-Zuma was the chosen candidate of Jacob Zuma. The bad blood eventually led Zuma to form his own political party.
Pictured above: King Mswati’s Ruby Jubilee reunited Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa with laughter.
Image source: The Zulu Royal Kingdom
