Shooting from the lip

“A small flame flickered on the men’s faces. They raised their chins. Began to believe.” He finished with: “And gentlemen in England now a-bed, Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,

“And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks, That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day!”

It was October 25, 1415. The leader was King Henry V. The danger: a massively over-powering French army. But at the Battle of Agincourt, it was those with the fiercest hope who triumphed.

Fast-forward 219 053 days to RSA, February 15, 2016.

To a country which faces a litany of curses, dangers, fears. So it’s inevitable we now wonder about the quality of our leadership.

To some, Henry V’s antics may seem silly. Corny “rah-rah”.

Indeed, we all know (or should know), the cruel folly of “dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” (it is sweet and honourable to die for one’s country).

But take war out, and inspiring leadership remains as foundational as ever. Real leaders who take the people into their confidence. Clearly.

Who lay the reality on the table: Our common purpose and a plan. No bull.

Leaders who offer a social compact, between government and citizens. Who spark the fire of our vast collective energy. Leaders who say, frankly: “We face serious challenges. Grave dangers.

“This is what we can do. We will be explicit.

“We, as your leaders, now seek your trust. And we’ll earn that trust. By honouring our side.

“But we need, you need, to step up too, as citizens. Do we have a new deal?”

Precisely two years after those words, on this page, Ramaphosa was sworn in as president.

His winning campaign? “My ‘New Deal’ for South Africa.”

And the final message of his maiden Sona, quoting Bra Hugh Masekela? “I wanna be there – send me.” Henry V would’ve been proud. The president’s speech soared like a martial eagle. Effortlessly. As if he’d been rehearsing parts of it since the mid1990s. He only stumbled once. Words 1 339-40 out of 5 315: “policy certainty”.

Two of the most important words of all.

Because: For all the fine words, the “social compact”, the “New Deal”: The words from another US President still describe our cornerstone priority.

From the Bill Clinton campaign in 1992: “The economy, stupid.” He went on to preside over the greatest period of prosperity in US history.

And a winning economy requires? Certainty.

May you not stumble uncertainly – President Ramaphosa, Sir.