Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan with his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, and President Jacob Zuma at a pre-Budget meeting — PICTURE: ELMOND JIYANE To Mcebisi Jonas, the tie is just an accessory. It generally hangs loose around his neck. It must be a Uitenhage thing — the industrial town he was born in 55 years ago.At the same time, he projects an urban and suave demeanour, and Jonas has always come across as a silky operator. However, he is terrible at front-line politics — he just cannot win elections.But, he is a master political strategist, who was behind Makhenkesi Stofile’s reign, when the burly reverend chaired the Eastern Cape and ran the province from 1997 to 2004.On Wednesday, the tie was loose, and the last button on his shirt undone, when Mr Jonas pulled an incredible political act that showed he has nothing to lose.He thundered these words: "Members of the Gupta family offered me the position of minister of finance to replace then minister (Nhlanhla) Nene."However, after this sca...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.