While Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen yesterday tore into President Cyril Ramaphosa for being “too much, too hesitant and too cowardly” to make bold decisions to move South Africa forward, political experts said the country was short of radical policy changes. from now on. he took over five years ago. While citing “some positive aspects”, Nelson Mandela University politics lecturer Dr Ongama Mtimka described Ramaphosa’s tenure as a “disaster”. ‘We have only suffered losses’ according to Ramaphosa His views echo those of Steenhuisen, who told the National Assembly in Cape Town that Zuma had led “nine wasted years”, while…
While Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen yesterday tore into President Cyril Ramaphosa for being “too hesitant and too cowardly” to make bold decisions to move South Africa forward, political experts said the country was short of radical policy changes. from now on. he took over five years ago.
While citing “some positive aspects”, Nelson Mandela University politics lecturer Dr Ongama Mtimka described Ramaphosa’s tenure as a “disaster”.
‘We’ve only got losses’ under Ramaphosa
His views echo those of Steenhuisen, who told the National Assembly in Cape Town that Zuma had led “nine wasted years”, while Ramaphosa led “five disastrous years”.
“If you think we lost some gains under Zuma, then in this administration, we have only gained some losses,” Steenhuisen said.
Despite Ramaphosa’s weakness, Mtimka said, there was a “general attitude of law enforcement agencies that restored intolerance for corruption”.
“We see Ramaphosa championing the process of renewal in the ANC. There are also a number of steps being taken to ensure transparency and accountability in responding to the crisis.
Also read: ‘Five dangerous years’: Ramaphosa’s ‘new dawn’ turns out to be a false dawn – Steenhuisen
Independent political analyst Sandile Swana said corruption related to the government party’s cadre deployment policy remains a challenge.
“There are powerful positions in the country that are open to the deployment of cadres and are held by many corrupt business groups and criminal syndicates.
“The deployment of cadres under Zuma and throughout the systemic corruption led by Ramaphosa. And it has not ended, or been undermined.
“You still find corrupt cadres in the top seven of the ANC, the NEC, in the Cabinet and in parliament,” Swana said.
Unemployment has moved “from 4.6 million in 1994 to about 12 million people today”.
“Blacks still don’t have productive assets in a way that matches the actual demographics of SA. About 82% or so are black [pupils] at age 10, or in Grade 4, cannot read for meaning.
“We [technical and vocational education and training] Colleges are not competitive in the world and struggle to be recognized by our own universities. That needs to be restored by Ramaphosa.
“Obviously, Eskom failed even though all the skills, solutions and resources were there,” Swana said.
“Former president Thabo Mbeki told the ANC Polokwane conference that crime and corruption are becoming systemic in the ANC and in the country.
Also read: Ramaphosa’s speech ‘moves people – creates the illusion of action’
“In 2007, former vice president Kgalema Motlanthe said that corruption exists in all three regions of the country, spread by ANC friends or cadres.
“Two things need to be fixed: the power of the Scorpion and [National Prosecuting Authority] should be fully refunded,” said Swana.
South Africa is ‘different’
University of South Africa political science lecturer Professor Dirk Kotzé said South Africa was “different compared to five years ago”.
“From a political point of view, almost all of Zuma’s supporters have lost their positions in the Cabinet, some are facing the criminal justice system. We have seen some replaced by people closer to Ramaphosa. The private sector is closer to the president and more cooperative, compared to Zuma’s year,” Kotzé said.
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“What has clearly become worse is the state of Eskom, with Zuma having tried not to relieve the load. But plant maintenance was not carried out at the time.
“A lot of damage has been done, when we look at the Zondo commission report, it shows the Tegeta mining offer.”
‘Best deal for SA’
Referring to South Africa’s international position, he said: “The international community is sympathetic to South Africa, with Ramaphosa being invited to major events.
“He has developed close relationships with many international leaders, which Zuma has not been able to do in the same way.
“Ramaphosa is looking East and West – trying to get the best deal for South Africa.”
Steenhuisen said South Africa had wasted a total of six days in 2018, when Ramaphosa took the helm.
“Since then, it has increased every year – first it was 22 days, then 35 days, then 48 days. Last year, it increased to 157 days.
“Sadly, it seems that 2023 will break that embarrassing record. Already this year, we have had more than 1,000 consecutive hours of release and counting,” he said.
With various socio-economic challenges in the country, the DA leader said Thuma Mina popular Ramaphosa, or send me, is an empty slogan.
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“Yes, the new morning is a cruel mirage. Yes, Phala Phala [scandal] showing who he really is. Well, we also wonder why he is still doing this job because it is now clear that Ramaphosa has failed.
The presidential election last Thursday was an opportunity to redeem himself, but he was unable to do so.
“By failing to listen to the cries of the people and doubling down on the failed ideology of state control that led to the crisis, the government has effectively abandoned us.”
– brians@citizen.co.za