President John Dramani Mahama will today leave the country on a private visit to South Africa, Presidential spokesperson John Jinapor has said.According to a statement signed by Mr Jinapor, the President would return to Accra on Sunday December 30, 2012.In his absence, the statement said, Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the constitution, act as President during the period that President Mahama will be away.President Mahama, who won the December 7 polls would be sworn in January 7, 2013 at the Independence Square, Accra.