President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech last Sunday on the lockdown was somewhat betwixt and between. He sent out mixed messages and thus left us confused. For instance, he imposed a curfew and banned the sale of alcohol to curb the rocketing spread of Covid-19, while at the same time allowing taxis to carry full loads on short trips. It was typical Ramaphosa, always careful not to antagonise powerful lobbies.
More important issues were left unsaid. At the top of every parent's mind is the decision by Angie Motshekga to reopen schools and the ham-handed manner it's been handled. Ramaphosa said nothing on the matter; neither a yea nor a nay. It was only when he was pushed days later that he tentatively ventured to say there needed to be a thorough discussion. More consultation? Other sectors simply got the heave-ho.
The decision on taxis didn't come as a surprise. The government was bowing to a fait accompli. The taxi industry decided weeks ago to disregard the 70% load limit. The industry threw down the gauntlet and the government acquiesced in breaking its own rules. It doesn't show much backbone. Ramaphosa doesn't lead; he's led.
While the world desperately searches for a cure, the only instrument or tool that can mitigate the awful consequences of this virus is effective leadership. It is countries with decisive leaders - New Zealand, Germany, South Korea, Iceland - that have got on top of this virus. All, incidentally, led by women.
New Zealand, with only 22 deaths, has all but got rid of the disease. Iceland has had 10 deaths. At the other end are the US and the UK - both led by blond, incompetent blunderers - where the virus has had almost free rein. The US this week recorded 77,000 infections in a day, a world record, and deaths are approaching 140,000.
SA started well. Ramaphosa made a good speech. But the country runs the risk of joining the club of laggards, and it's all down to a lack of proper leadership and direction. Such a huge decision on whether pupils should go back to school cannot be left to Motshekga. The president cannot address the nation on everything, including the taxi industry, yet not say a word about schools. It's not just about education or whether pupils are learning (and eating). There's a risk they could be infected at school then come home and pass on the virus to parents and grannies.
One expert was pilloried recently when he said the government strategy consisted only of digging graves. He was right. That's the only perceptible plan. Everything else is all over the place. It seems each minister is free to row his own boat in whichever direction he or she chooses. There seems to be no co-ordination at the centre.
The reason the US, with all the resources at its disposal, is in such a mess is because Donald Trump has abdicated his responsibilities. The states have been left to fend for themselves, at times working at cross-purposes. Ramaphosa seems to have adopted a similar approach. Motshekga can reopen schools despite the danger. Fikile Mbalula can go easy on a lawless taxi industry. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is free to "fix" the tobacco industry. And Bheki Cele can just be Bheki Cele. Ramaphosa is a bystander, or a cheerleader.
The question has been asked before and it's worth asking again: what is the point of Ramaphosa's presidency? What is its raison d'être? What's the point of seeking power if you're unwilling or incapable of using it to tackle issues crying out for attention?
Nelson Mandela saw his role as uniting the country after years of divisions and oppression, and did it excellently. Thabo Mbeki, asked how he was going to fill Mandela's big shoes, bluntly said he did not want them, they were too ugly, then set about charting his own course. Jacob Zuma cared only for his own stomach, and those of his family and cronies. Ramaphosa has admittedly been dealt a bad hand, with rampant corruption, a failing economy and now a virus that threatens to cut a swathe through the country.
But leaders have to rise to the occasion. Besides, as Zuma's lieutenant, he didn't come to the position cold. He knew where the bodies were buried. He was expected to hit the ground running. He was going to deal with corruption and fix the economy, he promised. But neither of these issues is any better now. If anything, things are getting worse. Right now the ANC is merrily motoring down Corruption Street with nary a concern or compunction.
Corruption is the ANC's lifeblood. If it stops being corrupt, it runs the risk of dying. Ramaphosa was, for instance, part of a recent national executive decision to reinstate ANC members who are linked to those who swindled VBS pensioners. One would have thought that the plight of pensioners would have given the so-called vanguard of the poor pause to reflect, but no. Greed and party interests are paramount. And two years after taking office, the economy is in worse shape (the lockdown obviously hasn't helped). Tito Mboweni is a lone voice in the wilderness. The country is drifting.
Unlike his predecessors who had sought to remake the party in their own image, Ramaphosa has dropped the ball. The baton has instead passed from Zuma to Ace Magashule, who now controls the party. The party and the country won't be rid of corruption as long as Magashule is in charge. But of immediate concern is decisive action to curb the spread of the virus. Lives are at stake.
Sometimes with Ramaphosa the word hostage comes to mind, not president.
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