Since Ramaphosa became deputy president of the African National Congress in the party's 2012 elective conference there has been speculation that Ramaphosa would run for the President of the ANC in 2017 and succeed Jacob Zuma as the ANC president.
Ramaphosa has received backing and endorsements from Zweli Mkhize, Bheki Cele, Senzo Mchunu, COSATU and the National Union of Mineworkers.