When Cyril Ramaphosa assumed the presidency, it should have been an “easy act to follow” after the tumultuous and corruption-ridden tenure of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa’s “new dawn” philosophy initially brought hope, promising to cleanse the nation of corruption and set South Africa on a path to renewal.
For a brief moment, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramaphosa emerged as a unifying figure, rallying the country against a common enemy. However, it soon became clear that he was not the superhero many had hoped for. Despite his promises, South Africa’s steady decline toward failed state status has continued unabated.
Ramaphosa’s pledge to crack down on corruption has yielded little to no results. Not a single high-ranking ANC official or private sector accomplice has been held accountable, with no prominent figures seen in the orange prison uniforms symbolizing justice served. Instead, under Ramaphosa’s watch, hundreds of millions of rands were looted through fraudulent personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts and dubious school sanitization projects during the pandemic.
The lack of decisive action against corruption has emboldened ANC members and their allies, leading to widespread looting and mismanagement. This is most evident in the collapse of municipalities under ANC control, where even major metros like Johannesburg are failing to deliver basic services such as water and electricity.
Political analyst Moeletsi Mbeki has described Ramaphosa as a “very weak president,” criticizing his inability to control his party or Cabinet. Mbeki argues that Ramaphosa lacks the strength to enforce decisions, resulting in a chaotic and ineffective government. This chaos has only intensified with the formation of a government of national unity, which includes partnerships with other political parties.
Mbeki’s assessment paints a grim but accurate picture of Ramaphosa’s leadership. Despite initial optimism, his presidency has been marked by unfulfilled promises, rampant corruption, and a failure to address the country’s most pressing challenges.
As South Africa grapples with deepening crises, the hope that once surrounded Ramaphosa’s “new dawn” has faded. The nation now faces the harsh reality of a leader unable to steer the country away from its downward spiral, leaving citizens disillusioned and demanding more than just empty promises.