Shouldering the hopes of a nation

CYRIL Ramaphosa was sworn in as democratic South Africa’s fifth president on Thursday after a dramatic 48 hours in which the ANC finally lost its patience with Jacob Zuma. Its national executive council put the final nail in Zuma’s political career by officially recalling him – and when he refused to budge, the ANC put in motion parliamentary processes to unseat him through a vote of no confidence.

In the end, after a meandering television interview followed by a resignation that almost became an act of defiance, Zuma bowed to the inevitable – and proved again how strong our democracy is in a continent blighted by the spectre of the Big Man and presidents for life.

Ramaphosa underscored this further. He went for a run on the Sea Point promenade and posed for pictures with ordinary citizens. Then took the oath of office with a promise to be the servant of the people and respect the traditions and honour of Parliament.

Last night he spelt out his vision for the country in a maiden State of the Nation Address that evoked the memory of Nelson Mandela and called for South Africa to put behind it the negativity that has characterised the recent past.

From ordinary citizens to international bankers, there is indeed a groundswell of hope that South Africa will be properly run, the kleptocrats will be put in the dock and finally we can begin achieving the potential we all know exists in our nation.

Ramaphosa’s next great test will be in his formation of a new cabinet to take forward his vision of the country as a land of hope and opportunity and banish incompetence and corruption.

So far, there is every indication he will rise to the occasion and surpass it. We look forward to this new era of hope and possibility and wish him well as he grapples with the many challenges South Africa faces.