Many South Africans feel that it’s a blessing that President Cyril Ramaphosa is the one who is leading the nation through the coronavirus challenge.
The truth is that President Ramaphosa has done fairly well in handling this pandemic challenge, which poses a serious threat to humanity.
Since lockdown, the honourable President has been speaking to the nation on a bi-weekly basis, or as and when the need arises to address the Covid-19 challenges, developments and feedback.
His regular briefings have been dubbed ‘family meetings’.However, I?m concerned that the President hardly invites the media when he addresses the nation.
When the media is invited, he doesn’t take questions from the journalists. What is the President running away from?
To remind President Ramaphosa: ours is a democracy. So as a democratic president, he should explain himself to the nation why he has taken certain decisions. At the moment, he is not accountable to the nation. He just comes and makes a statement and goes. This must stop.
It’s interesting to note that the most infamous US President, Donald Trump, holds press conferences and answers questions from the media. Trump does so whilst he has not hidden his hatred and disdain for the Fourth Estate.
Why is Ramaphosa allowed to get away with murder?
I’m very much surprised that our critical media is letting him off the hook when it is supposed to be taking the President to task regarding that. It seems to be comfortable with listening to the President and write stories based on that. What happens when journalists have clarity-seeking questions? I wonder.
A clear message needs to be sent to our beloved President that he needs to account for the decisions he makes on behalf of the country. And one way to do that is to hold media briefings and answer questions from journalists.
This is not a choice but a must, Mr President.
