JOHANNESBURG - Cyril Ramaphosa, leader of South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress, was elected Thursday by the National Assembly to be the nation's new president.

The election came after former president Jacob Zuma announced his resignation on Wednesday night.

The election of the president will make way for the State of the Nation Address to be delivered on Friday.

The South Africa speaker of parliament, Baleka Mbete commended former president Jacob Zuma for his work, and wished him and his family well in "his future endeavours", then thanked the people of South Africa "for their patience."

"Cyril Ramaphosa, I wish you all the best, but I will see you in 2019 on the ballot boxes," said Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition party, Democratic Alliance.