And now for Cyril

The mood in the country has improved noticeably since President Cyril Ramaphosa has come to power, particularly since his state of the nation address (YOU, 1 March). He’s laid out more positive initiatives than his predecessor did in nine years.

Of particular note is the far-reaching programme for youth training, education, paid internship programmes – all designed to create more than a million jobs for young people.

His emphasis on competence, trustworthiness and diligence in the public sector augurs well. A lot of dead wood is going to get chopped.

But perhaps the most encouraging aspect of his speech was his outspoken denunciation of corruption in every area of public and private life. The evidence of this is already there: bad guys are being rounded up and some are on the run with warrants of arrest issued for them.

Only when incompetence, patronage and outright theft are expunged can South Africa find its feet again, and it looks as if we’re on the way. Go, Cyril! R SIMPSON, JOHANNESBURG President Ramaphosa would do well to consider the likes of Thuli Madonsela and Makhosi Khoza to be included in his cabinet. They’re both strong women, aren’t scared of intimidation or speaking their mind, and are anticorruption.

Their wish that Zuma go has been granted so let them have what they fought for. It would be a just reward for their previous harassment and persecution by Zuma and his cronies. BOB GILLIES, EMAIL