President of the people

IT’S been roughly one week since Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as president followed by his delivering of the State of the Nation address. In his very short time in power, the new president has endeared himself to ordinary South Africans – he has been freely and honestly engaging people while on his morning walks. Yesterday, Ramaphosa was swinging away during a golfing event for charity.

With journalists lapping up every word he says, he has also become the darling of the media.

His party’s arch rivals, the EFF, have indicated their preparedness to “give him a chance” and the DA, the main opposition in Parliament, signalled their willingness to help him fix what was wrong with the country.

Not since Nelson Mandela has a South African president enjoyed so much support and goodwill from his people.

Also, not since Madiba has there been such an atmosphere of hope. What makes Ramaphosa so acceptable is the fact that he made no secret of his intention to tackle graft, and wasting of state resources.

Just like Madiba, he seems in touch with the suffering of the poor and marginalised, and speaks a language everyone understands.

Ramaphosa’s biggest asset is that he’s an astute politician and negotiator. His task ahead is by no means an easy one, thanks to his predecessor Jacob Zuma.

Now that the business of Sona is over, and the budget has been delivered, Ramaphosa’s first big challenge is forming a cabinet.

Zuma has left him a cabinet of 35 ministers. Many of them have done nothing but collect a salary every month. In other words, they were loafing. This was thanks to Zuma who had ensured he surrounded himself with yes-men and women in the cabinet.

Ramaphosa doesn’t need a chorus. And it would be safe to assume he’ll be naming a cabinet made up of ministers prepared to work, and work hard.

The president knows the problems South Africa faces. Ramaphosa knows the make-up of his cabinet will be criticised by some.

But he also knows who has the requisite skills to help him on the tough road ahead. Most importantly, the president knows the people who are honest, can be trusted and have the nation’s well-being at heart.