The declining state and what happened to the quality of the president’s leadership

A global pandemic like the rapid spread of the coronavirus has left leaders with no place to hide.

Not only has it ruthlessly exposed the unequal nature of human development in different countries and continents, and the effectiveness of the state during challenging times, but it has also forced leaders to show their mettle.

Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister, has received plaudits for her visible, dexterous and responsive leadership which has seen the island nation weather the storm with aplomb.

US President Donald Trump has had a testing time, initially downplaying the virus and later seemingly propagating some decidedly unscientific solutions.

In Britain premier Boris Johnson seems to be coming undone, with his critics berating his apparent weak leadership and late interventions.

Our own head of state, Cyril Ramaphosa, was lauded for his initial reaction to the pandemic, thanks to firm and transparent decision-making.

But as the pandemic spead and the complexity of navigating a broken state through a crisis became apparent, the gulf between Ramaphosa, the comforter-in-chief (to borrow from George W. Bush), and Ramaphosa the chief executive increased.

Whereas he was effective as the former, he became ineffective as the latter.

It might be a function of the shambles he inherited as president, or it might be the result of his overly consultative and often paralysing leadership style.

But whatever it is, Ramaphosa of early March is not the Ramaphosa of late May.

In today’s edition of News24’s Friday Briefing, analyst Mpumelelo Mkhabela considers the evolution of Ramaphosa’s leadership and issues a warning to the president.

Also, investigative reporters Sarah Evans and Kyle Cowan attempts to settle the argument between Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and Professor Glenda Gray about malnutrition at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. 

And Professor Elmien du Plessis writes on the pitfalls of making emergency regulations.

Have a good weekend!

Pieter du Toit

Assistant Editor: In-depth news 

ANALYSIS | Mpumelelo Mkhabela: Covid-19 and the trajectory of the Ramaphosa presidency

Ramaphosa started on a high, while the virus was on the low. Now that the virus is on steady upward trajectory, he seems to be going in the opposite direction, writes Mpumelelo Mkhabela.

ANALYSIS | Gray vs Mkhize: Child malnutrition surge is coming - so who was right?

There is no data to support the theory that child malnutrition is increasing or decreasing yet. But experts agree that a surge is coming, writes Sarah Evans and Kyle Cowan.

ANALYSIS: Elmien du Plessis | The pitfalls of emergency laws and regulations

We don’t have clarity on the nature of directives. In the hierarchy of legislation, they are below regulations. They might be laws, but they are not legislation, writes Elmien du Plessis.