For his many words, Ramaphosa still comes across as an absent president

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 28 Apr   [ron_derby] Whenever there’s a critique of the presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa, his defenders quickly point out the damage that his predecessor did in his years in office. Fair point, under the cover of a tainted Zuma presidency, corruption thrived as the coalition of the many wounded in the early years of ANC governance finally got their time to eat. It’s quite a legacy to work with, especially if you are a man of process (and he is a stickler for process.) But for the process to unfold correctly, strong institutions are essential. It hasn’t been an endowment from his predecessor and this is where his lack of urgency has most painfully been felt. This week [Lizeka Tandwa]( and [Paddy Harper]( cover the gaffes of our president in the recent weeks and months that tell a story of a man that looks disengaged. Maybe we are reading too much into it, but there’s something there. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [During a media briefing last week, Mbalula warned Ramaphosa to lead more effectively or the ruling party would “deal with him”. He said Ramaphosa could not allow anarchy in his cabinet — a suggestion that the ANC is growing tired of the president’s inaction.]( [Checked out Cyril and the art of the about-turn]( The faux pas with the Finnish president is the latest in a series of embarrassing moves by our head of state [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [The Ampersand Mixtape 2]( [Ampersand Mixtape 2: Weekend Special]( Where does Workers’ Day come from? Why do we have weekends? What should we listen to on weekends? And why is Brenda Fassie’s first hit song essential for your weekend? [// Read more]( [ooct-inroom-dining-balcony-1-portrait]( [24 Hours at the One & Only]( Five-star wining and dining at the One & Only [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Blinding wildlife: The dark side of artificial light at night]( A new guide says cities should power down to reduce the harmful effects of light pollution on all life from insects and bats to birds and turtles This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [Freedom Day in Philippi: Gunshots, robberies and piles of rubbish]( You leave your house at your own risk in the Cape Flats township. Motorists are a target, especially visitors. Gunshots are an everyday occurrence [// Read more]( [The invisibility of black professionals]( The South African corporate world is difficult for most black people who lack cultural and social capital [// Read more]( [Freedom Day: I think, therefore I am free]( The freedom to think independently, and allowing others the same freedom, is central to our democracy [// Read more]( [Freedom Day in South Africa: A reflection on broken promises]( A population disillusioned by broken promises of democracy in country beset by corruption, load-shedding, unemployment and inequality has little to celebrate [// Read more]( Pic of the day [GettyImages-1251866024] The DA’s Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, has warned that should Russia’s President Vladimir Putin set foot in the Western Cape, he will be arrested by local law enforcement. (Contributor/Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa