10, 9, 8 ... SA's slide into decline

THABO Mbeki endured eight days in September, a turbulent period in 2008, that led to his ousting as president of the Republic.

- AAKASH BRAMDEO

With Jacob Zuma, it was the so-called nine wasted years, a presidency characterised by state capture and economic decline.

For President Cyril Ramaphosa it was a case of 10 minutes of shame, and it happened on the world stage.

The meeting between Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump started well. It should have been a sign. When it is too good to be true, it probably isn't.

Ramaphosa must have been nervous but, for the first 20 minutes, he came across as relaxed, in control and, at times, even jovial. He had clearly learnt from the ill-fated encounter Volodymyr Zelenskyy had with Trump. In contrast to the Ukraine president, Ramaphosa, went out of his way to thank Trump and praise him. And then, about 20 minutes into the meeting, Trump asked for the lights to be dimmed. What followed was a video of Julius Malema, EFF leader, addressing supporters.

In a voice that is now familiar to most South Africans, he chanted "Kill the Boer, kill the farmer" and spoke about expropriating land of white farmers without compensation.

The mood in the room changed. The chant was now exposed to a global audience. There was no context and, as a result, it came across as crude. Inciteful. Shameful. Ramaphosa wiped his face. He was probably hot in his suit and tie. There were also bright camera lights, and the room was packed with people. But those who study body language claim it could also be a sign of anxiety - perhaps a desire to wipe away a problem or stress.

But this problem was not going away. The chant was first uttered by Peter Mokaba, a former president of the ANC Youth League. He did so while addressing a rally following the murder of Chris Hani by right-wing whites. The chant has always been contentious. But the Equality Court found it did not constitute hate speech and should be protected as freedom of speech.