Cyril has to walk his own walk
The world is soon going to start paying serious attention, not only to what Ramaphosa says, but what he does back at home.
Front, from left: President Cyril Ramaphosa, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres attend the unveiling ceremony of the Nelson Mandela statue at the United Nations in New York, 24 September 2018. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Angela Weiss
President Cyril Ramaphosa played perfectly to his audience at the United Nations General Assembly in New York by channelling the spirit of a great South African, Nelson Mandela.
Although Ramaphosa has still to take part officially in the General Assembly debate, he made a solid impression yesterday at the unveiling of a statue of Madiba at the headquarters of the world body.
But just how long the president will be able to be carried along on the euphoria remains to be seen.
There is no doubt Ramaphosa is a huge improvement on his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, who always appeared uncomfortable before large international gatherings and sometimes came across as something of a country bumpkin.
And as the world got to hear of allegations of corruption and state capture surrounding him, Zuma’s star sank even further in the eyes of the world.
Ramaphosa can only trade off that negative image for so long before the world is going to start paying serious attention, not only to what he says, but what he does back at home.
He is in charge of an ailing economy and faces growing race tension. Convincing the world otherwise will take a lot more than a Madiba miracle.
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