Cyril Ramaphosa’s birthday: 10 strange gifts given to the president

Cyril Ramaphosa turned 67 on Sunday. He didn’t quite get a Marilyn Monroe-style serenade, but the well-wishers have flocked to social media to share their messages: Of course, Fikile Mbalula got involved.

Mr President, since my plea to skip November for December right away was not accepted because November has your birthday.

Can we kindly have an extension for December so it ends on December 61 ?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR PRESIDENT pic.twitter.com/jLe7YWORPo

— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) November 17, 2019

Happy Birthday, Mr President

It’s hard to know what you should buy for a self-made billionaire approaching his seventies, but that hasn’t stopped people having a go since he assumed the presidency. Cyril Ramaphosa has been given some weird and wonderful things over the years, and he might just get lucky again this weekend.

Many of these items had to be declared to Parliament recently. All MPs, including the president, have to reveal any gifts valued at more than R500. There are some truly odd gifts on Cyril Ramaphosa’s balance sheet, but hey, it’s the though that counts right? And who doesn’t need a framed photo of an antelope these days?

Gifts Cyril Ramaphosa has received since becoming President

Cuban Cigars: Cyril Ramaphosa got 26 of these bad boys from the Cuban Embassy… and one from John Steenhuisen.

Miracle cream: DGPR Productions sent him this. It doesn’t contain a cure for joblessness, though.

A picture of an antelope: Stud Game Breeders also included a photo frame. Classy.

The Great South African Cookbook: You can thank the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory for this.

A vase filled with bamboo: The Chinese government thought they’d spruce-up the president’s office.

Two water glasses: From Rhodes University. Wait, more than R500 for two? They’ve been scammed…

A wood-crafted fish: The President of Madagascar knows a unique present when he sees one.

Nuts and fruit: Rahil and Anisa Shahid made sure Cyril Ramaphosa had some nibbles

Socks: Sibusiso Ngwenya gave a pair of his garments to the president just last week.

Bottles of alcohol: Not really “strange”, but it’s fascinating to see what our president likes drinking. He’s had to declare Remy Martin Cognac, Meerlust 2013 Rubicon wine, 12 bottles of Lourensford wine, Ron Anejo Superior Rum, and several brands of Russian vodka. Don’t be surprised if Cyril Ramaphosa takes a day off on Monday.