Earlier this week this newspaper ran a report on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to an anticultural show in Zimbabwe during which he praised that country’s land reform program.

Verbatim this is what the President said:
“On independence in 1980, the new democratic government of Zimbabwe had to take on the momentous task of dismantling colonial-era patterns of land ownership…It was therefore essential – for both historical redress and food security, development and economic growth – that the government embarked on ambitious reforms to facilitate the entry of black Zimbabweans into productive agriculture, including support to small-scale farmers…We congratulate the government of Zimbabwe for the measures it is taking to revive the country’s agricultural sector through policy reforms, investment in irrigation and mechanisation, and empowering large- and small-scale farmers”.

When Zimbabwe became independent in 1980 its per capita GDP number was just under 30% of the global average and held at that level through the 1980s and the 1990s. However, after Zimbabwe commenced its land reform program that number fell to around 10% and has remained there ever since. Hardly a result that drove “food security, development, and economic growth”.

Why does South Africa’s President keep backing losing ideas?

At home his policies have already cost his party the government. In next year’s local polls those numbers will deepen. When Mr Mandela and Mr Mbeki ran South Africa the economy created around 500 000 net new jobs per annum. Under Mr Ramaphosa that number remains stuck at under 100 000. The murder rate that was halved by earlier ANC administrations has risen 30% under Ramaphosa’s rule. The Americans would do a transformative trade and investment deal with South Africa but Mr Ramaphosa’s government keeps haggling over blueberries and pork.

Circling in ANC circles is the infamous story of how Fidel Castro warned Mr Mandela that Mr Ramaphosa would wreck the ANC if he was ever allowed to run it. Mr Ramaphosa seems determined to prove him right.