US elections: Ramaphosa’s message to Trump

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US elections, saying he is looking forward to working with him.

Trump beat out democrat candidate Kamala Harris, leading to a flurry of congratulatory messages from around the world.

“Congratulations to United States President-Elect Donald Trump on your return to the Presidency.

“I look forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all domains of our cooperation,” Ramaphosa said of the election.

The SA president said the country will “work closely with the US” during its G20 presidency next year, as America prepares to take over in 2026.

Ramaphosa was joined by some of the world’s top leaders in sending congratulations to Trump.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and NATO chief Mark Rutte acknowledged Trump as the next US president.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it an “impressive victory”, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as “historic”.

Trump addressed excited supporters in Florida on Wednesday, hours after he clinched North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania which are parts of the seven key battlegrounds.

Watch Donald Trump’s speech after winning the US elections

“History has been made”

Surrounded by his family and team on stage, Trump said “History has been made in America.”

“Frankly, this was I believe the greatest political movement of all time. There hasn’t been anything like this in this country and maybe beyond.

“Now it’s going to reach a new level of importance because we’re going to help our country heal. We have a country that needs help and it needs help very badly.

“We’re gonna fix our borders and fix everything about our country,” Trump said.

ALSO READ: Republicans seize control of US Senate

“Greatest political comeback”

Trump thanked his running mate JD Vance who also took to the stage to address Republican supporters.

“Well, Mr President, I appreciate you allowing me to join you on this incredible journey. I thank you for the trust that you placed in me and I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.”

Meanwhile, vice-president Kamala Harris will not be addressing her supporters at Howard University as expected.

The Harris campaign said she will give a full speech on Thursday.

World leaders congratulate Trump

World leaders congratulated Trump on his resounding victory in the US elections.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “ready to work together as we have done for four years… with respect and ambition, for more peace and prosperity”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump “on history’s greatest comeback”.

Republicans win Senate

Earlier, Republicans wrested the US Senate from Democratic control ending four years in the minority and providing a huge boost to the party in its quest to dominate every branch of government.

The victory means that the incoming president will get enormous support to enact their agenda and appoint justices to the powerful US Supreme Court.

The US Capitol is divided into the House of Representatives — where all 435 seats are up for grabs — and a 100-member Senate, which has 34 seats at stake this year. Congressional elections run alongside the White House race.

ALSO READ: WATCH US Elections: Trump slammed for his ‘shoot through the fake news’ comment