Cyril Ramaphosa's reform push gains momentum amid South Africa's economic challenges

A NEW Bureau for Economic Research report by Natasha Marrian and Claire Bisseker indicated that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's reform push is finally gaining momentum, enjoying a more stable macroeconomic backdrop than it has in years.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

The report said that President Cyril Ramaphosa’ state of the nation address (Sona) suggests that as a leader he may be finally coming into his own.

“Certainly, it can be argued that it was eight years too late for him to finally show up for South Africa in the way he did last Thursday; that this was the address SA needed back in 2019. But what really matters is that he has now hit his stride,” it said.

The report added that his underlying theme was the deepening of institutional reform across the state - from reforming the criminal justice system to the country’s water boards. “He was honest about the absence of juick fixes for SA’s deep challenges and the multiple crises we face. But he was also refreshingly clear-eyed about what needs to be done - something he has not been since taking office”