War on four fronts - Ramaphosa’s first 100 days
After 100 days, the first rays of the ‘new dawn’ expected of Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency can be seen, but while international investors are largely optimistic and supportive of the post-Zuma era, at home and within the ANC conflict, disunity and uncertainty abound
It is conventional wisdom that generals and politicians should avoid waging war on more than one front. Such battles stretch your resources to breaking point and require constant attention lest there be a surprise attack. President Cyril Ramaphosa is fighting on four fronts: • He must consolidate his position within the ANC as his enemies attempt to weaken him from within; • He must breathe life into a damaged state that has lost the will and the capacity to deliver effectively; • He must persuade a jaded electorate to back his party; and • He must win over investors to turn a moribund economy around.The tensions are real: retain party unity by placating the authors of state capture, and the programme to rebuild the state falters and the electorate becomes sceptical; emphasise a radical policy shift to persuade voters that democracy will finally deliver, and investors become restless. Shortly after taking office on February 16 — roughly 100 days ago — Ramaphosa announced his first c...
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