Ramaphosa should engage more often

President Cyril Ramaphosa had an unusual but refreshing engagement with the media last week. He was invited to address the Cape Town Press Club after delivering his response of over one hour to the debate by MPs on his state of the nation address.

The club’s events are usually attended by retirees from various professions, but this time there was a strong contingent of journalists eager to interrogate the president on issues ranging from SA’s military involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, apparent inconsistencies in foreign policy and the government’s objectives when it hosts the Group of 20 summit in 2025. Also addressed were questions about the government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business, load-shedding, and the soon to be signed National Health Insurance Bill. The president was forthcoming and responded to the questions fully and with candour.

Apart from ad hoc interviews with journalists at specific events, such media engagements with the president are, unfortunately, all too rare. Regular engagements with the president or prime minister are held in other countries and should be institutionalised here too. They give journalists the opportunity to get answers and the leader of government to clarify issues of policy.

As Ramaphosa emphasised in his opening remarks at the event, the media plays a critical role in a democracy, a role which in SA is enshrined in the constitution.

Deputy president Paul Mashatile has made an effort to meet members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association. Ramaphosa should do likewise with the media in general.