Faith restored

IN SUSPENDING South African tax boss Tom Moyane, President Ramaphosa again used a word he has been fond of since he assumed office 40 days ago: restore. It was in his State of the Nation address, and he has used it and synonyms since.

It came up most recently in connection with Moyane and Sars, inferring that the agency was damaged. He spoke at the opening of Parliament of restoring the credibility of the tax service.

Ramaphosa believes, too, that our state-owned enterprises are ailing. The National Prosecuting Authority as well. So watch him: first came the cabinet shuffle, now for critical posts in his administration. Moyane was the first of several moves he has in mind. His frank views, his style in answering questions in the National Assembly and his actions so far have stirred excitement domestically.

They also seemed to persuade ratings agency Moody’s to spare South Africa a lot of economic pain. A downgrading would have been devastating. At the weekend, Moody’s again rated South Africa as investment grade, at Baa3, a rung above junk status. And it further revised the outlook from negative to stable. This was heartening news.

An important critic of South Africa was siding with the optimism of many citizens, and effectively buying into the notion that Ramaphosa meant business. Moody’s sees the previous weakening of our institutions gradually reversing. The executive shuffle, appointment of credible figures to key ministries and the move on Moyane would have shaped this view.

But approval of South Africa’s restoration is conditional on delivery. Ramaphosa obviously knows this. Business leaders also told him so after the Moody’s verdict, warning against complacency. Ramaphosa has, in 40 days, signalled that he has the iron to get South Africa back on course. It will also need all his endurance

He has also shown a softer, down-to-earth side, with his early morning walks among the people, with selfies galore. And on Saturday night he graced Africa’s grandest gathering, the 19th Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, to the great delight of the many thousands in attendance.