PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SHOWED A TOTAL LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE
Response to Ramaphosa needs to have the courage of his convictions and tell the whole truth
The article by Jo-Mangaliso Mdhlela with regard to the implications of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appearance at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture is accurate and objective. However, his contention that President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his account of events taking place during ex-president Zuma’s reign out of fear is debatable. Not once during his evidence did he even mention the name Zuma. It’s as if he does not acknowledge that, although the events of State Capture during Zuma’s shortened term of office were not the sole responsibility of a single person, these events were actually conducted under a plan initiated by others and endorsed by the ex-president. With reference to the absence of courage by Ramaphosa, before courage can arise, fear is a precursor. No fear was displayed in that period; our current president went with the flow of criminal behaviour in an almost oblivious and ignorant manner, which points to his implication. The actions of Rosa Parks and Makhosi Khoza were initiated by fear and prediction of present and future outcomes of malfeasance taking place. Courage was their manner of dealing with the situation which prevailed, and is an indication of the potential for successful leadership roles displayed. Both of these individuals displayed disregard for their positions at the time, and “a perfect duty” was the driving force. President Cyril Ramaphosa displayed total lack of leadership by his nonexposure of State Capture taking place. His excuse of not speaking out and taking forceful action regardless of the outcome to his political future because of his concern for stability of the state and ANC is not valid. Had he undertaken to display the courage of his convictions at the time, he might have sacrificed his future in politics, but he would have built a following of politicians of similar thought and determined a different future.
Fred Hirsch