Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa found himself both entertained and slightly bewildered when a student referred to him using his popular nickname, “cupcake,” during a recent gathering in Cape Town.
This amusing exchange took place at the 7th Social Justice Summit, hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where Ramaphosa was set to deliver the main address.
As his introduction commenced, the young learner enthusiastically stated, “It’s an honour to be here. It’s my first time seeing the president. Hello, Cupcake!”
The remark elicited laughter from those present, including the president, who later shared moments for photographs with the students.
While discussing the incident in his speech, Ramaphosa jokingly confessed that he did not understand the nickname.
“The young people who stood up here, one of them said something that I’m often called,” he remarked.
“I never respond to it because I don’t know what it means. I know I will have a response to them when they say it, I’ll say ‘eat cake.’”
However, social media users were quick to remind others about the nickname’s backstory.
The name “cupcake” became associated with Ramaphosa in 2017 following the release of emails that allegedly contained personal messages he exchanged with several women.
In one such message, he reportedly referred to someone as “cupcake” in a term of endearment.
At that time, Ramaphosa confirmed he had been involved in an affair with a woman from Limpopo and stated, “I had a relationship with only one person, and it ended. I dealt with it with my wife. We now have a professional relationship.”
