Cyril Rises To The Challenge

President Ramaphosa’s decisive handling of the Covid-19 crisis has united the nation

- Dennis Cavernelis & Gezzy S Sibisi

He's been accused in the past of not being decisive enough, of playing the waiting game, of keeping quiet when the nation expected him to speak out.

But when the chips were truly down, Cyril Ramaphosa rose to the occasion. It’s taken the biggest global crisis since World War 2 for him to banish the naysayers and flex his presidential muscle – and it’s come at a time when we needed it most.

His decision to enforce strict measures in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19 made leaders such as US President Donald Trump and British prime minister Boris Johnson look like amateurs. And the speech he delivered when he announced the 21-day lockdown was enough to bring goosebumps to the skin of even the most cynical soul.

“In the days, weeks and months ahead our resolve, our resourcefulness and our unity as a nation will be tested as never before,” he said. “I call on all of us to play our part.”

He was no less magisterial when he broke the news to the nation that the three-week lockdown would be extended for a further two weeks.

We take a look at how the president has nailed it.

KEEPING US INFORMED

THE LOWDOWN Ever since he announced a national state of disaster on 15 March, the president has been at pains to make sure we know exactly what’s going on. He’s given the country regular updates in TV addresses and in his weekly newsletter, and his appointment of knowledgeable, upfront Dr Zweli Mkhize as health minister has been hailed as one of his best moves.