List of Presidents of South Africa: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of South Africa from 1961 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of South Africa, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa (in office since 2018).

Presidents of South Africa in order, with years in office

Charles Swart

Served: 1961–1967

First State President, from the republic's creation on 31 May 1961 until he resigned in June 1967.

Tom Naudé

Served: 1967–1968 (acting)

Deputy who acted as State President after Eben Dönges was elected but died before he could take office; served until April 1968.

Jim Fouché

Served: 1968–1975

Ceremonial State President for seven years, the only one to complete a full term.

Jan de Klerk

Served: 1975 (acting)

Senate president who acted as State President for 10 days in April 1975.

Nicolaas Diederichs

Served: 1975–1978

Ceremonial State President who died in office in August 1978.

B. J. Vorster

Served: 1978–1979

Prime minister from 1966 to 1978, then State President until he resigned in June 1979 during the 'Muldergate' scandal.

Marais Viljoen

Served: 1979–1984

The last ceremonial State President; the office became executive in 1984.

P. W. Botha

Served: 1984–1989

First executive State President under the 1983 constitution; resigned in August 1989.

F. W. de Klerk

Served: 1989–1994

Released Nelson Mandela in 1990 and negotiated the end of apartheid; shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela.

Nelson Mandela

Served: 1994–1999

First president elected in a fully democratic South Africa; sworn in on 10 May 1994.

Thabo Mbeki

Served: 1999–2008

Succeeded Mandela and resigned in September 2008 after his party asked him to step down.

Kgalema Motlanthe

Served: 2008–2009

Became president after Mbeki's resignation and served until the May 2009 elections.

Jacob Zuma

Served: 2009–2018

Resigned on 14 February 2018 amid party pressure and corruption allegations.

Cyril Ramaphosa

Served: 2018–present

Took office on 15 February 2018; re-elected after the 2019 and 2024 elections and leads a Government of National Unity.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of South Africa

Who is the current president of South Africa?

The current president of South Africa is Cyril Ramaphosa, in office since 2018.

Who were the previous presidents of South Africa?

The presidents and heads of state of South Africa listed on this page, in order, are: Charles Swart, Tom Naudé, Jim Fouché, Jan de Klerk, Nicolaas Diederichs, B. J. Vorster, Marais Viljoen, P. W. Botha, F. W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Who was the first president of South Africa?

Charles Swart was the first president of South Africa, in office 1961–1967.

Sources: Wikipedia, State President of South Africa and President of South Africa; Archontology.org, South Africa: Heads of State (1961–1994 and 1994–2025) (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of heads of state since 1961, except a one-day acting spell in 2008.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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