Cyril Ramaphosa ascended to the presidency of South Africa several years ago carrying the excitement and optimism of the country’s rising Black professionals, who saw themselves in him: a measured businessman with intellectual gravitas.
He seemed an antidote to the previous administration, which had blasted Black professionals as elitists complicit in the continued white domination of the economy.
And Black professionals could play a significant role in the A.N.C.’s demise.
during the scandal-plagued tenure of Mr. Ramaphosa’s predecessor, Jacob Zuma, many professionals returned to the party in the 2019 election.
They believed that Mr. Ramaphosa could clean up corruption and turn around the sluggish economy, according to interviews with political analysts and Black professionals.
Persons:
Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa’s, Jacob Zuma
Organizations:
South, African National Congress
Locations:
South Africa