Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Cyril Ramaphosa – a patient man
“I CANNOT compete with Zuma.” This view, attributed to Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2007, seemed to signal the end of a presidential dream.
It was a few days before the ANC’s 52nd elective conference in Polokwane in 2007 and, to use Zwelinzima Vavi’s analogy at the time, any moves to stand in Zuma’s way to becoming president would be like “trying to stop the big wave of a tsunami” inexorably sweeping to victory.
Although Zuma’s popularity and ascent to the ANC presidency appeared a fait accompli at the time, there were many within the ANC who were disappointed by Ramaphosa’s refusal to enter the race.
To some, Ramaphosa seemed a cowed man – a man who appeared to approach his political destiny with dread. But Ramaphosa is nothing if not a calculating strategist. He was not prepared to muddy himself in the ANC’s factional politics. The next time he dominated the headlines was in August 2012 with the blood-letting in Marikana. That December, though, he was elected deputy president of the ANC, paving the way for him to play an active role in shaping ANC politics.
This week, 20 years after that fateful loss to Mbeki, the prodigal son returned, ascending the summit of the party leadership.As soon as his victory was announced, tears showed in his reddened eyes. For a moment, he appeared almost forlorn, lost in deep thought. It was a rare chink in the usually tough Ramaphosa armour.
Ramaphosa’s tears sparked a flurry of speculation. Could it have been because his choice for the deputy president, Lindiwe Sisulu did not make it to the top six? Or worse, because the all-important, strategic secretary general position was snatched away from his preferred Senzo Mchunu, the astute former KwaZulu-Natal premier? That the people who pipped Sisulu and Mchunu were none other than David Mabuza and Ace Magashule, the Mpumalanga and Free State premiers, respectively?
“I feel very sorry for him ( Ramaphosa)... He is surrounded by sharks,” was one message on Twitter. Many others were sympathetic towards him.
“He has every right to cry. They kept him on the queue for too long despite his suitability for the top job. Here comes John Magufuli of RSA,” read another tweet, in a reference to the Tanzanian president whose corrupt-free reputation has cost him friends.
One of Ramaphosa’s suitors at Polokwane was Derek Hanekom, today one of the voices of reason and principle in the embattled movement.
“We need leaders of comrade Cyril’s calibre. I know Cyril is very good at business, but I really wish he would put all his money in a trust and step up for a higher and more senior position,” said Hanekom at the time.
But Ramaphosa knew the truth of Vavi’s quip; that wasn’t the time to staunch the tsunami, instead it was better to swim with the tide and when the Zuma-ites came knocking on his door offering the prospect of becoming deputy president, he relented and took it. He knew he only had to be patient. If he was, he could become president of the country when Zuma’s term ended.
Ramaphosa is aware that to probe corruption in the state while neglecting the graft in the private sector might raise concerns of double standards.
He sits now as deputy president of the country, with the political power to make it happen.