Analyst compares Ramaphosa address to Mandela's
Political analyst, Richard Calland has described Ramaphosa's maiden State of the Nation Address as "inclusive" in a style similar to that of Nelson Mandela.
"For me, this was about renewing the spirit of optimism of the 1990s. It was coherent - it offered a lucid analysis of the problems that face this country. It was honest about the past within the constraints of politics. He said I am going to lead and this country is begging for leadership," Calland says.
He says Ramaphosa has no choice but to follow-through on Jacob Zuma's promise of free higher education.
Ramaphosa says the Finance Minister will expand on that in his upcoming Budget Speech.
"But again, he said we will manage that. He was very smart by passing the ball - the poisoned chalice - to the Finance Minister," he says.
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Calland says South Africa will now wait to see how Ramaphosa shapes his Cabinet.
"One of the first things Cyril Ramaphosa must do is decide how many changes he will make to his Cabinet right now. I don't expect wholesale changes. I do expect Gigaba to deliver the budget next week. It won't be a pretty budget - it will be full of tough language and tough choices," he says.