Gareth Cliff takes aim at Ramaphosa while explaining why Zuma is easier to read

Radio personality Gareth Cliff has weighed in on the political landscape in South Africa, offering a candid comparison between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.

I think Jacob Zuma is easier to read because he is exactly what he is. He doesn’t pretend to be anything else. You know exactly what you’re getting with him.

Cliff argued that while Zuma’s political career was marked by controversy and scandal, his intentions and actions were often transparent to the public. In contrast, he suggested that Ramaphosa’s leadership style presents a different set of challenges for observers.

With Ramaphosa, there is this constant attempt to be the statesman, to be the guy who is fixing things, but it often feels like a performance. It is harder to pin down what he actually believes or where he is truly heading.

The broadcaster noted that the frustration many South Africans feel stems from a perceived lack of authenticity in the current administration. He emphasized that the public’s weariness with political rhetoric has made them more cynical toward leaders who appear to be carefully curating their public image.