‘Feigning ignorance has become Ramaphosa’s trademark

THE remark by ANC insiders that President Cyril Ramaphosa had “quietly entered the departure lounge” arguably expresses a growing sense of disquiet about his leadership. Ramaphosa found himself having to backtrack after he urged ANC members to learn from the DA.

- PROFESSOR SIPHO SEEPE

PRESIDENT CYRIL Ramaphosa, left, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and National Commissioner of Police General Fannie Masemola at the inaugural Policing Summit held at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Gauteng on August 4, 2024.

(GCIS)

Ramaphosa remarked that in terms of the auditor-general reports, “municipalities that do best are not ANC-controlled municipalities... they are often DA-controlled municipalities”.

For Helen Zille, the DA’s Federal Council chairperson, this was manna from heaven.

The timing couldn't have been perfect. For Zille, this was an unequivocal endorsement of the DA and for her campaign to be the next mayor of Johannesburg. This is not the first time Ramaphosa’s authority has been found wanting and undermined.

Two years ago, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe refused to attend a top-level meeting held by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the leaders from the Netherlands and Denmark.

Mantashe dared the president to fire him. Mantashe refused to attend the signing of a green-energy memorandum of understanding.

In what many had described as a self-induced injury, Ramaphosa sparked controversy when addressing the National Convention.