Political analyst Barney Mthombothi has defended President Cyril Ramaphosa against critics, arguing the president should be praised, not attacked, for acknowledging difficult truths about government performance.
Mthombothi’s support comes after President Ramaphosa openly discussed the findings of a recent Auditor-General’s report. The report highlighted significant challenges within many municipalities while also naming some of the best-run local governments, including those managed by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).
In his opinion piece, Mthombothi noted that this is a rare instance of direct honesty from the president. He stated that the criticism directed at Ramaphosa is misplaced because the Auditor-General’s report is based on factual evidence.
Mthombothi believes that by sharing these findings, Ramaphosa demonstrated transparency and accountability, which are essential for good governance. “There is a price to pay for telling the truth in politics, but it is essential for the advancement of our nation,” Mthombothi wrote.
He argued that attacking the president for stating facts hinders productive debate. Instead, the focus should be on improving governance, budget management, and service delivery across all municipalities.
Mthombothi concluded that in a country facing complex challenges like economic uncertainty and corruption, such honesty from a leader is valuable. He urged South Africans to support leaders who speak truthfully, even when the message is uncomfortable.