Daisy determined to be SA president - girl best friends with Ramaphosa

When then grade 2 pupil Daisy Ngedle came back home with work she had done during the 2018 academic year, her mom immediately spotted the letter she had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

And like most social media-savvy mothers, Zenande Ngedle shared it on Facebook with her friends - and the rest is history.

"I sometimes share some of the milestones in her life on social media," the mom said.

Before she knew it, the letter started trending.

"The president's spokesperson [Khusela Diko] also saw the letter on Facebook and she also shared it," said Ngedle.

Eight-year-old Daisy from East London in the Eastern Cape expresses her love and gratitude towards Ramaphosa in her letter and also asks him if she can also become president.

"The letter was done in class so I don't think anyone helped her to write it," her mom said.

On Friday, Daisy and her fellow pupils got the surprise of their lives when Ramaphosa visited their school, Clarendon Primary in East London.

Ngedle said she received a call from Diko on Wednesday, alerting her that Ramaphosa had responded to Daisy's letter.

"She asked for my e-mail address so that she could send the response. I couldn't believe it. I was excited, in shock and disbelief all at the same time."

And when she received the response, it felt unreal.

"It was the most genuine letter I had ever read. It was not one of those automated responses. It was so personal and felt that the president indeed took the time to read Daisy's letter."

She dismissed suggestions that the response was an electioneering stunt.

"There were people who questioned the legitimacy of the letter and whether my daughter existed."

Daisy said on Friday that her heart was still beating fast from meeting the president, and that she would sleep very well that night.

And what does she love about the president? "He's very kind and funny."

Meeting the president also made her more convinced about what she wants to become when she grows up.

"I want to be the president. I'm really happy and it was really lovely for the president to say to me that we are now best friends," Daisy said.

When she takes the reins one day as a female president of the country, she would see to it that more schools are built and all children of school-going age are in schools.

"I will also make sure that kids have enough food to eat and don't go to bed hungry."

As for criminals, Daisy said she'll ensure they're jailed.

To prepare for her career, she will follow the parliamentary channel. But, Daisy said she also enjoyed watching cartoons and her favourite food is pizza and ribs, while she also loves ice cream from KFC.