Photo reference: cyrilramaphosa. (2019, May 25). Photo posted on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/cyrilramaphosa/

On 15 February 2018, Cyril Ramaphosa was elected by the National Assembly as the Acting President of South Africa. His election sparked hope among South Africans, as he was seen to have a better reputation than his political party. Let us closely examine why South Africa grew hopeful when Cyril was elected to the presidency.

To provide some context, I would like to begin by looking at what ethical courage is. Ethical courage refers to the strength and determination to act in accordance with moral principles, even in the face of adversity, pressure, or potential backlash. It involves standing up for what is right, advocating for ethical practices, and maintaining integrity, even when it may be uncomfortable or unpopular.

Some key aspects of ethical courage include:

1. Integrity: Consistently adhering to personal and societal values, regardless of the circumstances.
2. Advocacy: Speaking out against unethical behaviour or practices, whether in a personal, professional, or societal context.
3. Resilience: The ability to withstand criticism or negative consequences that may arise from standing up for your beliefs.
4. Empathy: Understanding and considering the perspectives of others, which can inform ethical decision-making.
5. Responsibility: Acknowledging and fulfilling one’s duty to act ethically, not just for oneself but for the greater good.

As Professor Deon Rossouw aptly stated, “Ethical courage is the resolve to act on moral convictions, even when it is not comfortable or self-serving to do so.”

Earlier in his career, Cyril Ramaphosa had done a lot for workers, particularly as a union leader. He was instrumental in forming the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). He led one of South Africa’s largest strike actions, for which he was subsequently detained. His actions demonstrated significant ethical courage, as he was challenging the government of the day, which had a notoriously brutal security cluster.

Ramaphosa then left active politics to join the business world, and it seems that during this period, he became accustomed to the privileges associated with an upper-class lifestyle. As a human being, one might not blame him for becoming comfortable, perhaps losing touch with grassroots movements, which allowed others, less popular than he, to mobilise.

One of the biggest blotches in his otherwise respectful leadership history would be the way he handled the Marikana situation. If the email he sent to the then Minister of Police is true, it would suggest a man who once fought for those same miners had now grown out of touch with their struggles.

Fast forward to his ascendancy as the new President of South Africa, and Ramaphosa promised the nation that he would focus his leadership on key issues, including economic revitalisation, anti-corruption, and social transformation. Here are some important aspects of his leadership:

1. Corruption and Governance

   Positive
   Ramaphosa came to power on a platform centred around fighting corruption, particularly in the wake of numerous scandals involving his predecessor. He established commissions of inquiry to investigate corruption, even though many of his comrades were implicated in issues of corruption and maladministration.

   Negative
   Despite his commitment to fighting corruption, many feel that more decisive action was needed to hold those involved accountable. Allegations of corruption continue, raising doubts about the effectiveness of his anti-corruption measures and whether he truly has the courage to hold those implicated to account. There is growing frustration that many individuals named in the various commissions of inquiry have yet to face any legal consequences.

    

2. Economy

   Positive
   Ramaphosa has made efforts to address high unemployment and stimulate economic growth. His initiatives have included investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and support for small businesses. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he remains focused on revitalising the economy.

   Negative
   South Africa continues to struggle with slow economic growth, high unemployment, and persistent inequality. Many critics argue that Ramaphosa’s economic policies have not produced the desired outcomes. His policies have seemed lethargic at best, with much talk and little tangible action, leaving many feeling that the government has not done enough to address these critical issues.

    

3. Land Reforms

   Positive
   Ramaphosa has recognised the need for land reform to address the historical injustices related to land dispossession in South Africa. His leadership has included discussions on land redistribution, with efforts to balance this against concerns about agricultural productivity and food security.

   Negative
   Despite the prominence of land reform on the national agenda, the process under Ramaphosa’s leadership has been slow and lacking clear direction. The ongoing debate around land expropriation without compensation has created uncertainty, particularly in the agricultural sector. A bolder approach, demonstrating greater ethical courage, might have led to more conclusive outcomes.

    

4. Social Issues

   Positive
   Ramaphosa’s leadership has focused on addressing inequality and poverty, which remain critical issues in South Africa. His administration has prioritised programmes aimed at improving education, healthcare, social services, and entrepreneurship, particularly in townships, in an effort to promote social equity.

   Negative
   However, high levels of crime, gender-based violence, and social unrest continue to plague the country. While steps have been taken to address these problems, progress has been slow and insufficient. Another notable failure was the delayed action in handling the former Minister of Social Development during the SASSA disaster, as well as the Gauteng MEC of Health over the Life Esidimeni tragedy, which involved the deaths of vulnerable mental health patients.

    

5. Political leadership

   Positive
   Ramaphosa has faced significant challenges, both from within the African National Congress (ANC), where factionalism has been a constant issue, and from opposition parties, which have criticised his governance and service delivery. He deserves credit for his consultative approach, often seeking input from both rivals and allies before making decisions, even though the Constitution grants him the power to act unilaterally on many matters.

   Negative
   His leadership has struggled to unify the ANC, with internal divisions and factionalism undermining his authority. Political rivalries have hampered his ability to implement necessary reforms. Ramaphosa has also been criticised for being slow to act against those accused of corruption. His perceived lethargy and silence during critical moments, such as the July 2023 unrests, have left many questioning his decisiveness. In those moments of crisis, he was uncomfortably quiet, when strong leadership was most needed.

    

Public dissatisfaction with the pace of change and the effectiveness of Ramaphosa’s policies has led to a decline in his approval ratings. Many feel that the promises made when he took office have not been fully realised. South Africans were hoping for the Cyril they knew as a unionist and the leader who played a pivotal role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations. While there was great optimism for his leadership, and disappointment is understandable, he has initiated several reforms and efforts to address these challenges.

Despite the criticisms, there are positives to take away. Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership has been characterised by attempts to restore public trust in government, tackle deep-rooted socioeconomic issues, and navigate the complex political landscape. It feels as though the president genuinely wants to make a positive impact, and I, for one, hope that in his second term, he will demonstrate the ethical courage that we know he possesses, fulfilling the high hopes the South African public had for him.

About the author: Lulama Qabaka is an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Specialist at The Ethics Institute.