IT WAS hard to imagine she could become even more popular than she was when sworn in as prime minister three years ago.
Even then pundits called it Jacindamania – the wave of adoration that swept across New Zealand when she took over as the No 1 citizen of her country.
But Jacinda Ardern, the youngest Kiwi prime minister in 150 years, has achieved what few politicians across the globe have in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
She’s not only kept down crisis levels in the nation of some five million people but also seen her popularity soar at home and abroad thanks to the special brand of leadership she’s shown, especially in recent weeks.
The New York Times calls it The Jacinda Method – and it’s a heady mix of clarity and compassion that’s worked well for the 39-year-old as the coronavirus crisis rages on.
“She quickly became a leader who could talk policy from a podium, dress down a sexist commentator on camera, or post a Facebook video encouraging a rugby team while a cat on her lap struggled against a plastic collar the size of a lampshade,” the newspaper’s Damien Cave writes.
“Pandemics are often described as crises of communication, when leaders must persuade entire populations to suspend their lives because of an invisible threat. Watching Ms Ardern on Facebook – her favoured conduit – is a lesson in rhetorical blending: epidemiology brightened with empathy, law leavened with mom jokes. And it’s been strikingly effective.”
She recently showed New Zealanders again that she has nerves of steel when an earthquake struck during a live TV interview.
Esta historia es de la edición 11 June 2020 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 11 June 2020 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
OUR BRAVE LITTLE FIGHTER
Like her late sister, little Elana was born with a rare lung condition and can't breathe without a ventilator, but her parents are walking this familiar path with courage and hope
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
With his new film, The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling put stunt doubles centre stage but how hard is it for a complete amateur to master the trade? Journalist Simon Usborne decided to find out
INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE
Irish writer Cecelia Ahern chats to YOU about writing her novels in longhand, her love of Lego and looking forward to her first wine-tasting in South Africa
THE KIDS ARE NOT OKAY
Something happened around 2010 that's had a huge impact on Gen Z, says a new book. It was the start of the phone-based childhood, and it's resulted in a rewiring of kids' brains - and a surge in depression and anxiety
HE'S ON THE BALL
Despite having no lower legs, -Grayton's prowess on the rugby field has made him a social media star
THIS ISN'T JUSTICE
A woman was shot dead by her fiancé, who said he thought she was an intruder. Now her family believe he got off lightly
THE BOSS IN CHARGE OF YOUR CROSS
As chief electoral officer of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo has his hands full these days!
HEARTBREAK AND HOPE
Relatives and loved ones share their stories as rescue efforts continue for the people still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in George
BLOOMING!
Shes adored by fans and loathed by haters, but like the character she plays in her new movie, Anne Hathaway says shes putting her own Joy first
SUSSEXES' AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Meghan and Harry took Nigeria by storm – but relations with the royal family remain icy
