The vice-president of the country Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected president of South Africa by a parliamentary vote on Thursday, Financial Times reported.

“I will try very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.

President Jacob Zuma resigned as leader of South Africa on Wednesday during an address to the nation.

Ruling African National Congress has been under pressure from the opposition following the scandal surrounding the waste of state property. Since 2014, the opposition has hindered off the meeting of the legislative assembly with a request to the Zuma to repay state money spent on non-security upgrades to his private residence.

Presidential term Zuma was expected to remain the country's president until elections in 2019.