It’s all happening…and so fast! Can you feel it, the optimism?
What a crazy and exciting beginning to the year with the fall of Zuma and the appointment of Ramaphosa.
In the recent couple of months so many things have happened that one feel’s rather dizzy trying to keep up!
- Steinhoff shares crash – shares in South Africa’s biggest retailer went into free-fall, plunging by as much as 61% amid accounting scandals. Christo Wiese loses approximately $2 billion Dollars as a result and is forced to take over the reigns as CEO when Markus Jooste steps down and goes into hiding!
- DA suspends De Lille – the Federal Executive of the DA has suspended City of Cape Town mayor Patricia De Lille from all party activities.
- Cyril Ramaphosa elected new ANC and South African president – the African National Congress has elected former party deputy president as it’s 14th President.
- Cape Town water crisis – Cape Town is in the midst of it’s worst drought in living memory and without rains of Biblical proportions it is in a race against time to find a solution to the crisis before day zero hit’s.
- Valentine’s Day – South Africa was given the best Valentine’s Day gift ever, with the resignation of Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma. His middle name Gedleyihlekisa means the “one who laughs while grinding his enemies”, looks like SA has the last laugh now….
- Gupta Empire collapses – eight Gupta-linked businesses have filed for business rescue this week, and the three brothers are on the run, and where on earth is Duduzane ?
Hope Springs
On the 15th February Cyril Ramaphosa was elected as South Africa’s president a day after Jacob Zuma resigned under immense pressure from the ruling party. Ramaphosa’s nomination went unopposed that Thursday in the 400-seat National Assembly, although the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters walked out of the chamber after arguing that early elections should be called and the appointment would be illegal.
Ramaphosa, age 65, was sworn in by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng later that day and delivered his well-received State of the Nation. He staked his claim to the top post when he replaced Zuma as leader of the African National Congress almost two months ago at the ANC elective conference. A former lawyer and one of the richest black South Africans, Ramaphosa has promised to revive the struggling economy, create jobs and tackle corruption. His appointment more than a year before national elections could help the ANC win back voters alienated by a succession of scandals, policy missteps and inappropriate appointments during Zuma’s nine-year tenure. This power shift has cheered investors with the rand gaining the most of any currency against the Dollar since Ramaphosa’s election as ANC president. Ramaphosa is well liked by the international markets and rating agencies, and it seems he is making the right moves to help us avoid further downgrades.
On Monday evening, 26th February Ramaphosa announced his new Cabinet…. What can be taken away from this is that there is still a political fight ongoing within the ruling ANC, and Ramaphosa is having to do a fine balancing act to ensure he can deliver on his promises (what the country desperately needs) but at the same time ensure that the ANC wins the 2019 general election. It is clear to see that Ramaphosa needs David Mabuza “the Cat” (not his preferred choice of Sisulu or Pandor) if he wants to survive, that in itself is a scary thought…
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Bad:
David Mabuza is now going to be our Deputy President, a man accused of corruption; theft and murder. Mabuza is bad for Ramaphosa point blank, at least the Opposition will be happy and licking their lips at this.
Bathabile Dlamini, Malusi Gigaba not fired, but at least both demoted to lesser roles.
Lynne Brown, Mosebenzi Zwane, Des Van Rooyen, Bongani Bongo, David Mahlobo, Faith Muthambi, Hlengiwe Mkize, Nkosinathi Nhleko, and Joe Maswanganyi all FIRED!
The Ugly:
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma position of no real importance
And now, for the good news!
The GOOD: and there is plenty of it.
Pravin Gordhan, Nhlanhla Nene, Derrick Hanekom, Blade Nzimande and Gwede Mantashe
There is much to cheer and celebrate in Monday night’s announcement. It is the final proof that the Zuma Empire is gone, blown to bits, with the Guptas in hiding. But it is also the final proof that the ANC is not a settled organisation, and that there could well be more political surprises along the way.
So as we stand at the break of a new dawn for South Africa one has the opportunity to choose between a glass half full or half empty. I know what I choose, “half full”, as it far more beneficial and uplifting to see the positives in everything around you than focus on the negatives which will ultimately be detrimental to your outlook on SA inc. and more importantly your state of health.
The Importance of a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is the guide to leading a positive life. Maintaining a positive attitude through the ups and the downs is important to every aspect of life: your social status, your work, your health and your relationships. If you’re feeling down and having a particularly negative outlook on the way things are going, just remember that attitude is everything and a positive attitude will lead you out of the darkest of times.
“Attitude determines Altitude”
