A WEE DRAM
CHRIS GILMOUR: Ramaphosa at the crossroads and four futures lie before us
As the ANC enters another leadership chapter, we can reflect that real per capita GDP is better than at any time in the country’s history. The dependence ratio, which is the number of dependants per 100 people, has fallen from 380 in 1994 to the current 251. There have been some successes — but it could have been much better, for sure. Unlocking some of this enormous potential now falls to the ANC’s latest leader, Cyril Ramaphosa. His critics ask why he has not made any radical changes to his Cabinet. His advocates respond that he is playing the long game and we should not expect to see any fireworks on appointees or structural reforms until after the 2019 general election. Rather, considering his slim victory margin, his priority will be to enforce unity and stability in the governing party. When Ramaphosa decides to get going, says South African Institute of Race Relations CEO Frans Cronje, he has some huge obstacles to confront. "Firstly, we have largely run out of money. Secondl...
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