The newly-elected president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the oath of office that was administered earlier today, Thursday, by the country's Chief Justice.
Perhaps what took many Kenyans by surprise was that parts of the oath of office were strikingly similar to the one taken by Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga during his mock inauguration on January 30 at the iconic Uhuru Park grounds.
''In the presence of everyone assembled here‚ and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President of the Republic of South Africa‚ I‚ Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa‚ swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa‚ and will obey‚ observe‚ uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always: • promote all that will advance the Republic‚ and oppose all that may harm it; • protect and promote the rights of all South Africans; • discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience; • do justice to all; and • devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people.So help me God.''
Here is the wording of the oath that Raila Odinga took at Uhuru Park :
''I Raila Amollo Odinga, in full realisation of the high calling assume the office of the People's President of the Republic of Kenya do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the People and the Republic of Kenya. That I will preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of Kenya as by law established and all other laws of the Republic as adopted by the people of Kenya. That I will protect, uphold sovereignity, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. So help me God''
Raila considers Cyril Ramaphosa an ally and he congratulated him upon his election as ANC boss, weeks ago.
Though the two oaths are not wholly the same, it becomes clear that the legal experts who crafted Raila Odinga's were conversant with South Africa's presidential oath of office as revealed by the ''in full realisation of the high calling line''.