Ramaphosa off to an impressive start

Cyril Ramaphosa waited patiently for 20 years for SA’s top job. Since acceding to the presidency in February he has accelerated the tempo with impressive resolve. The 2019 elections, in which the former liberation movement’s longstanding political dominance will be put to the test, are looming.

In the decade that Jacob Zuma was president, SA stood still on crucial fronts and slipped precariously backwards on others. In the two months since he was forced out of office by the party, his successor has energetically set about reversing the damage. Already Ramaphosa has made a string of decisions and appointments that have revived investor confidence. The collective relief felt by many South Africans is palpable.

If Ramaphosa is to capitalise on goodwill and build momentum for reform, he must first consolidate his grip over the ANC and restore the integrity of public institutions. He has made a flying start. However, Zuma’s acolytes remain in place at all levels of government from the presidency to the provinces. Meanwhile, public frustration at failing public services, unemployment and lingering apartheid-era inequities is still at boiling point.

As a successful CE, Ramaphosa is well qualified to restore business confidence and reinvigorate the economy. As the former leader of the National Union of Mineworkers, he has experience cajoling the unions into being more flexible. But getting the economy going and reviving investment are only part of the challenge. He must also address deep structural problems that have remained obstinately in place since the end of white minority rule. That means radically reforming the education system, redistributing land without spooking investors and providing opportunities that satisfy pent-up demand for black empowerment. He must also help to steer capital to more labour-intensive sectors to create jobs. To do all this he needs to forge a fresh compact between the state, business and labour. London, April 25