🔒 Alec Hogg: For answer to what Ramaphosa’s ‘long game’ means, ask Rassie

I’m busy savouring the excellent Chasing The Sun, restricting myself to a single episode at each sitting. You should too. It’s full of surprises. Perhaps the valuable contribution of this documentary about the unlikely Springbok World Cup victory, is its insight into the mind of coach Rassie Erasmus. That delivers lessons for all.

Also read: Alec Hogg: South Africans should thank God for Koos Bekker (and Tencent)

For me, there are parallels between Rassie’s plan and the strategy being applied by SA president Cyril Ramaphosa. In the words of Bobby Godsell during our recent interview, both focus on “the long game”. Both inherited an awful mess, figuratively below ground zero. Both first worked out where they wanted to go – and then studiously ignored shrills by an attention-deficit mass media when the inevitable setbacks occurred.

In Rassie’s case, the climb from 2017’s record 57-0 drubbing in New Zealand to being crowned World Champions in 2019 is the stuff of fairy tales. But as the documentary details, he had a plan, one motivated by despair witnessed first hand. Rassie and his team proved the impossible becomes possible when all eyes are kept on the prize.
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Also read: Alec Hogg: Time for perspective in South Africa

Observed from distance, it’s obvious that no plan is perfect. Even Rassie’s has serious bumps and relied on a dollop of good luck. But, equally, the progress on Ramaphosa’s recovery plan should be apparent. His once tenuous grip on political power has tightened. Criminal justice structures have improved beyond recognition. Now, nation-building allies are breaking cover, like FNB’s very public freezing of the Zuma sons’ accounts. Just like Rassie’s plan it appears to be a case of gradually, then suddenly. Doesn’t it?

Also read: B4SA welcomes Ramaphosa’s recovery plan, calls for immediate implementation

For your attention today…

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* There was quite a crowd and plenty of questions at yesterday’s monthly BizNews portfolio update webinar which featured a particular focus on the rocketing Cloudflare and recently depressed Netflix. If you missed it, here’s the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Eng52cZU8U

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* Tomorrow (Thursday) at noon, Tim Modise hosts the BizNews webinar on current affairs. His guests: Alan Mukoki CEO of SACCI and the Executive Director of NEDLAC, Lisa Seftel will unpack Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s medium term budget policy statement. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1324111475714234383.

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