SA president Cyril Ramaphosa goes off-piste in Davos - again

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The annual Brand South Africa dinner in Davos was so heavily oversubscribed this year that I only got a seat because of some late cancellations. A huge difference to recent years where there were always plenty of no-shows – such was the decline in the nation’s appeal while Jacob Zuma ruled the roost.
Last year in Davos Cyril Ramaphosa led the delegation, even though still the deputy president.  His impromptu speech, which I recorded on my iPhone, went viral with tens of thousands of South Africans encourage by his message.
He took the mike again tonight, and once more delivered an uplifting message without referring to a single note – or that politician’s crutch, the autocue. And once again he delivered as inspiring a message as you’re likely to hear in the Alpine resort. It was also under half the length of last year’s.
Once again my trusty iPhone did the recording so apologies for the less than broadcast quality. And to give you a better feel of the mood, the recording starts as SA’s president takes the microphone – bantering with his Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, with whom the rumour mill said there was friction after his late arrival at the pre-Davos breakfast last week.
Pic: Greg Beadle
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23 Jan 2019 6PM English South Africa Investing · Business News

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