The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in has congratulated outgoing Deputy South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa on his election as Leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

“The NPP also congratulates Cyril Ramaphosa, the outgoing Deputy President, for emerging victorious at the ANC's 54th Elective Conference in Johannesburg,” the NPP said in a statement Thursday, signed by Acting General Secretary, John Boadu.

Cyril Ramaphosa, an anti-apartheid activist turned politician has been chosen to lead the Continent's oldest Liberation Movement, the Africa National Congress, as its leader for the next five years.

He will replace President Jacob Zuma as Leader of the ANC after he defeated his closest contender, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zumah, former Senior Minister and out gone Chairperson of the African Union Commission by a margin of 179 votes to emerge the winner of the keenly contested primaries.

The NPP expressed its confidence in the ability of Mr. Ramaphosa to turnaround the economic fortunes of South Africa and improve the living condition of the people.

“The NPP is convinced that the election of Ramaphosa, whose campaign primarily centred on the fight against corruption, the promotion of good governance and to increase economic growth, will prove to be one of the most momentous in South Africa's recent history.

“We are convinced that Ramaphosa has the wherewithal to transform the country's economy and to deliver prosperity to the South African people.”

The NPP also assured of its willingness to “…cooperate with the party [the ANC] in various areas of bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits. We wish them the very best in the general elections scheduled for 2019.”