Ramaphosa tests the Rubicon’s waters, wearing a lifebelt
Was that Cyril Ramaphosa quietly crossing the Rubicon on Saturday evening? After four years of sitting in the ANC top six and saying yes to nuclear energy, yes to Des van Rooyen and yes to Nkandla, Ramaphosa suddenly said no to the campaign to remove Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. It was a quiet and understated no, and also contained a lie: "Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his moral and political support to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in view of the legal processes unfolding around him and as he prepares to deliver the medium-term budget policy statement," said a statement by his office. It said Ramaphosa called on all South Africans to defend constitutional values; that the work the government and business were doing together should not be undermined; and that we should all conduct ourselves appropriately. "Government is at one in its approach on this matter and calls upon all South Africans to approach these issues rationally and put the interests of the country...
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