Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa was on Thursday honoured with the status of chieftaincy by the governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Robert Beugré Mambé, in Ivory Coast.
EWN reported that Ramaphosa was now officially a citizen of the Ivory Coast’s district of Abidjan after he was granted the key to the city during a spirited ceremony.
The key to the city is an honour bestowed upon esteemed residents and visitors, the report said.
“This ceremony giving me this robe is wonderful. I never thought in my life that I would wear a crown but I never thought that I would also wear a necklace with an elephant. An elephant is a totem of my family, so thank you for giving me a totem of my family.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa presented with & robed in Ivorian traditional garb by Traditional Leadership during his State Visit – the traditional leaders have given President the name “Dwasaho”, which means “The Great Warrior” #SAinIvoryCoast #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/a9lTwpashJ
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) December 2, 2021
“Now this in many ways also proves our common ancestry. I feel very connected to the people of Cote d’Ivoire because we know that we as Africans who are in the south originated in this part of Africa. We are one of you,” Ramaphosa was quoted as saying after being dressed in his chieftaincy garb.
ALSO RTEAD | South Africa, Ivory Coast sign 10 MoUs ‘to deepen trade and investment’ ties
Mambé, who gave Ramaphosa the name of chief Dwasaho wished him well.
“May everything that you do be profitable for both our countries. Your new name as the chief is Dwasaho, a name which means warrior. It is given to a very wise and smart warrior who has the ability to speak and has the determination to see and follow the values of Nelson Mandela.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa is handed the Key and Citizen of Honour Scroll of the Autonomous District of Abidjan at a handover ceremony held at the City Hall #SAinIvoryCoast #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/lwgZjnEjK7
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) December 2, 2021
“Our country will then be your country, second to SA, you are now Ivorian because you are a traditional leader. You are our family,” Mambé said, according to Times Live.
Ramaphosa was on a state visit to Ivory Coast as part of a four-state west Africa tour.
A News24 report said that his visit was met with a warm reception from his hosts and a pledge to greater cooperation
South Africa signed 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Ivory Coast, as the two countries aimed at deepening trade and investment ties.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa bids farewell to the Traditional Leaders and the people of Abidjan on conclusion of the Key of the Autonomous District of Abidjan Handover Ceremony #SAinIvoryCoast #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/2WlEhbRlVh
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) December 2, 2021
“Based on the priorities and comparative advantages of both our countries, we have agreed on the need to increase investment in value addition in agriculture and agro-processing and development in the mining sector.
“We are looking to expand trade in petroleum products, fresh produce, retail and agricultural products, and to explore opportunities for medical and educational tourism,” report squoted Ramaphosa as saying after signing the MoUs.
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