In the lead-up to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s anticipated speech tonight, public opinion seems to be divided, with many expressing a range of expectations and concerns.
Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress, shared his thoughts on the matter, referencing historical political figures to underscore his point. Fadiel Adams mentioned,
“I’m here to listen to John Foster speak and hear your Hendrik Verwoerd speak. But both I will speak if PW Botha, they will speak through the president.”
This suggests a belief that past political influences continue to shape current discourse, with Ramaphosa seen as a conduit for these established voices.
There is a significant segment of the populace that believes Ramaphosa lacks independence in his decision-making. A vocal critic opined,
“You believe that Ramaphosa is totally captured? Man’s a puppet man.”
This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the president’s autonomy and his ability to act in the best interest of the nation.
Another critical voice elaborated on this perspective, stating,
“If he was captured we could deal with it. We’ve had captured presidents before but this one, this one he’s the real estate agent of the sale of the land.”
This stark analogy paints Ramaphosa not just as a compromised leader but as an active facilitator in the controversial issue of land redistribution, a hot-button topic in South African politics.
When asked about the entities supposedly influencing the president, the response was unequivocal:
“So all of South Africa knows that the Oppenheimers run this show all of us know.”
This points to a deep-seated belief among some South Africans that powerful business interests, epitomized by the Oppenheimer family, hold sway over the nation’s political landscape.
Despite these criticisms, the engagement with political processes remains robust. As one observer put it,
“We will listen to the lies and we will be back with response. That’s politics you see.”
This highlights a commitment to democratic principles, with an emphasis on holding leaders accountable through constitutional means.
The overarching concern, however, is the perceived commodification of the country. The same critic voiced a resolute stance,
“The sale of the country that happened we will overthrow it constitutionally.”
This statement underscores a determination to address grievances through legal and democratic channels, reflecting a commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Fadiel Adam (National Coloured Congress):
I’m here to listen to John Vorster,
Hendrik Verwoerd, Pik Botha, FW de KlerkThey’ll speak through Ramaphosa, he’s a puppet.
He’s the Real Estate Agent of the Land sale.
The Oppenheimers run the show. We’ll defeat it constitutionaly. pic.twitter.com/rubDvijDo5
— Izwe Lethu (@LandNoli) July 21, 2024
