Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
23 May 2023 | 20:56 CAT

Image: News24

We are moving closer and closer to the 2024 national elections, although the date has yet to be gazetted. Political parties are already in full electioneering mode, with the ANC trying its best to regain some of the power it used to sway in key provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. All other parties, including the DA, ActionSA and the IFP, are similarly involved in a strategy to grab the votes of South Africans, who have lost trust in its political leaders.

Political Analyst Sandile Swana believes that President Cyril Ramaphosa did not meet the grade to be President of the country in the first place. Elaborating on his opinion with Radio Islam International, he said the ability of President Ramaphosa was judged based on results he has achieved since 2012.

According to Swana, Ramaphosa was brought into the presidency on the basis that he was the one who was going to escalate private sector investment into the economy of South Africa, which has yet to happen to date. He argued that instead, unemployment and poverty have increased to a record level as well as inequality.

“After examining the results of Ramaphosa from 2012 to date, it is clear from his record that he was never suitable for the position in the first place. The appointment of the eleventh minister shows us that Ramaphosa has got no abilities and further commits one failure after another,” he says.

Meanwhile, Swana commented on alternatives South Africans have as the ANC still has another year in power, and Ramaphosa, President of the party, is not very likely with all the internal fighting to remove him unless the Phala Phala scandal comes back to the fore. Even if he is removed, many feel the jury is out on his likely success; Paul Mashatile and others within the ranks of the ANC could be identified as the best-suited candidate for the job. Swana recommended former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as President of South Africa.

“As a person of the calibre, I believe can take the country forward. She may not come with a deeper political philosophy of Thabo Mbeki, but competence in getting schools and clinics to work and so on, she can do a good job,” he says.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with host Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.