Ramaphosa a ‘dreadful fellow’ chasing money
UK Sunday Times sketch writer lays into president for demanding Britain coughs up
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has been labelled “a dreadful fellow” by the UK
newspaper, where he was described as a man who prefers “folded stuff” over chequebooks.
In the article, “He must be special – the tea trolley’s out”, political sketch writer Quentin Letts delved into the pomp and ceremony marking Ramaphosa’s visit to the UK’s monarchy, at the invitation of King Charles III.
The November 23 article, which criticises the president for his requests for money, was met with mixed reactions on Twitter, with some arguing that South Africa deserved reparations while others felt Ramaphosa could not be trusted when it came to handling the country’s purse.
“Visiting heads of state are usually subtler about asking for money, but Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, was quick to business when he addressed the joint Houses of Parliament. Ramaphosa, not one of life’s charmers, demanded that Britain cough up for historical industrial emissions. South Africa wanted ‘compensation for harm done and harm yet to be done’.
“Get out your chequebooks. Actually, from what one hears about Ramaphosa, folding stuff might be preferable,” wrote Letts.
The writer painted Ramaphosa’s speech as a long whine about South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.
“(Lord) Hoyle delivered a tidy speech, much about (Nelson) Mandela. Ramaphosa sat there expressionless. He possibly longs for the day when someone makes a speech about him.
“His own speech, not short, was light on the diplomatic anecdotes and historical perspective normal at these events.
“Instead, he banged on about poverty, diseased water, power cuts and how to transfer ‘substantial resources’ needed from rich countries (us) to low and medium-income countries (him),” he wrote.
Letts ended his article with unflattering whisperings that his colleague picked up at the event, where he complained that journalists had to be present an
hour before Ramaphosa was introduced.
“As the MPs dispersed, a sketch-writing colleague heard a couple of peers mutter, ‘what a dreadful fellow’.
“That may be unfair, but Ramaphosa certainly misread the room,” Letts wrote.
During his visit to the UK, Ramaphosa was met with protests from DA members and South African expats, who demanded that he focus on fixing the country’s energy crisis, especially recurring blackouts that threaten to continue for many years to come.
He later told the UK Parliamentarians about the strong ties South Africa had with the Britons, citing age-old stone sculptures erected at the charred parliamentary buildings in Cape Town in honour of British aristocracy.
“The manifestations of our relationship abound. If you have ever visited our Parliament buildings in Cape Town, you may have seen in the gardens a statue of Queen Victoria, the revered ancestor of His Majesty King Charles III.
“And not far from where we are gathered today, on the other side of Parliament Square, is a statue of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the father of our nation.
“The presence of the statues of these two great historical figures at the seats of our respective democracies makes a powerful statement,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa added that his visit was about strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
“My lords, ladies and gentlemen, this
state visit is an opportunity to reinvigorate the ties of commerce, trade, and investment between our two countries.
“The UK is the largest foreign investor in South Africa and the country’s fifth-largest export destination.
“Over the last two decades, the UK has been South Africa’s largest source of tourist visitors outside of Africa.
“There are few countries that have the depth of experience and knowledge of the South African economy than Britain. British companies need to use this advantage to greater effect, to seek out opportunities in our country for investment and for trade,” Ramaphosa said.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not respond to a request for comment on the article.