A rainbow has appeared in SA

Our new presidential couple Cyril and Tshepo Ramaphosa are anchored in the soil of Africa, both keen on nature and wildlife conservation.

They breed rare game on their farm north of the capital.

He came from humble beginnings in Soweto. Despite their successes in various spheres over the years – Tshepo is a medical doctor – they did not lose the common touch and are known to have been helping the less privileged in many ways.

They are a normal modern family – she is his second wife and their children have found their own diverse niches here and abroad.

They represent a new breed of leaders, not only on the African continent, but globally. Most countries across the globe would have been well-served with such a presidential couple.

Cyril has arrived after a long walk through the years of struggle; a key role during the negotiations that led to our new democracy; and through the years of the internal struggle in the ANC, when the once globally admired movement lost direction under the leadership of Jacob Zuma.

He has the perfect credentials to take us forward, but he knows that his current challenge, to rid South Africa of the deep roots of corruption that flourished under Zuma, ranks among the toughest he has faced in his career.

SA and the world, recognising his leadership qualities, are giving him the benefit of the doubt as reflected by the strengthening of the rand and a surge in business confidence.

In the same spirit that united South Africans across all divides to get rid of a corrupt president, we must now remain united to accompany our new president in a critical but constructive manner as he takes us forward.

A rainbow has again appeared in the African sky. Dawie Jacobs, Sterrewag

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