Ramaphosa’s chance to boost reputation
THE coronavirus pandemic is a black swan event. In the few months since the virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, all kinds of things have changed. Many of the world’s great cities are shut down and governments are intervening in economies in ways that were unimaginable.
As the crisis gathers momentum our lives will continue to change in dramatic ways and the global health crisis seems sure to turn into a serious and global economic crisis.
China has emerged from the crisis with its reputation greatly enhanced.
There are many legitimate criticisms of the Chinese state, but it’s generally acknowledged that China dealt with the crisis in a manner far superior to that of populists like Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro and Boris Johnson.
Our own government had been suffering a serious legitimation crisis in the wake of its collapse into kleptocracy under Jacob Zuma, and perceptions of Cyril Ramaphosa’s weakness in dealing with the remaining kleptocrats.
It is true that there have been significant failures, such as inclusion of tainted people in government and the failure to effect arrests and prosecutions of politicians, and the leaders of local mafia type organisations such as Delangokubona SA Business Forum.
But there have been advances too. In Durban, the real seat of Zuma’s power, there has been decisive action against the kleptocrats, including the removal of Zandile Gumede from her position as mayor and the recent arrest of city manager Sipho Nzuza.
But a crisis can make or break a politician or government. Ramaphosa’s decisive action in response to the coronavirus pandemic has, almost overnight, restored his credibility to the heights of the short-lived Thuma Mina period. Suddenly everyone from grassroots activists to senior business people is speaking of Ramaphosa with respect. Zweli Mkhize, who had seemed irredeemably tainted by his failure to take a clear stand against the kleptocracy, has also become a credible and respected figure. If he has a good crisis he could be our next president.
If Ramaphosa and his best ministers continue to take decisive action to secure South Africans against the dangers of the pandemic their reputation will continue to soar. And the more political credibility they win in this crisis, the more standing they will have to act against the kleptocrats.