The job’s not up to Cyril alone

South Africa’s scandal-ridden Jacob Zuma finally fell on his presidential sword, albeit fighting to the very end. Zuma, pictured, is the latest head of state in a long line of African leaders forced from power. Taking the history of post-colonial Africa into account, in which many aged heads of state have gripped onto power for many years, Zuma’s resignation is a huge victory for South Africa’s fledgling democracy.

With the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as president of South Africa, many individuals are saying that the winds of change are blowing through the corridors of power and the country.

Ramaphosa cannot be a personification or image of radical economic transformation or service delivery without the support of his Cabinet, government structures and an active citizenry.

The first order of business for Ramaphosa must be to stop capture of state-owned enterprises, root out corruption, maladministration, mismanagement, wastage and tender-relat- ed fraud. To promote economic growth and social transformation, public servants and parliamentarians need to become more responsible and accountable.

A more equal society can only be achieved if all stakeholders, including the private sector, work together on job creation, economic sovereignty and nation building.

I encourage every South African to continue to be active citizens, resilient and vigilant, and to continuously demand accountability, transparency, rule of law and to protect the constitution. Mohamed Saeed