MAKHUDU SEFARA | Dr Ramathuba, this calls for a diagnosis and prognosis

To err, we are told, is human. But it is also what we do once we see the folly of our actions that, importantly, defines our humanity.

To be obtuse and obstinate at once, especially as a politician, so-called servant of the people, and a medical doctor, beggars belief.

This is why SA’s educated class is gobsmacked not just by Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s churlish conduct but her failure to be rational. Several media outlets ran headlines saying she was standing her ground after her whirlwind hospital tour in Bela Bela, Limpopo. Xenophobes and malcontents who are emboldened by the anonymity they receive on various social media platforms egged her on, noting South Africans are victims of their own kindness. It’s time, they said, someone told the foreigners off. It is the Klippies and cola type bravado that contributes to noise but helps with nothing. 

But we ought to expect better from a provincial minister. More so one who has spent time at a medical school hopefully learning something useful. 

I am certain that in the recesses of her rich brains, Ramathuba knows, or ought reasonably to know, that those versed with the power to do something about the influx of migrants into our country are her own comrades. They can’t be in power and still talk to us like they too are hapless victims. 

It is Ramathuba’s ANC government that must fix the country’s borders. It is her ministers and President Cyril Ramaphosa who must ensure there is proper migration into our country. It is not enough to simply say the issue was raised with Sadc. It is those in power, not hapless victims in a hospital, who must be pressured to ensure there’s a solution. Leaders aren’t put in power to simply point out problems — they must resolve these.

Ramathuba is, on a normal day, a young, intelligent, educated, politically conscious leader who represents new hope for an ANC in the throes of an existential crisis.

Ramathuba is, on a normal day, a young, intelligent, educated, politically conscious leader who represents new hope for an ANC in the throes of an existential crisis. She represents a departure from the politics of the uneducated looters, the loudmouths and untalented singers who misled our nation. 

But in the wake of her ruinous Bela Bela rants, we must wonder.

We, the people, have been subjected to ridiculousness, for example, in the Senzo Meyiwa trial from a supposedly educated advocate, Malesela Teffo. He has singularly made it awkward for many advocates to introduce themselves as such without being asked if they went to the same night school as Teffo. We must now hope our good doctor from Limpopo means well, knows the difference between right and wrong and will choose appropriately. 

In her case, the correct thing to do is to publicly acknowledge that while she could argue her points in a political forum, her target in Bela Bela was a hapless woman who didn’t deserve her vitriol. Ramathuba came across as insensitive, representing an uncaring government, and, importantly, she sent wrong messages that fuel toxic and possibly murderous xenophobic sentiment that any responsible leader must avoid.

Politically, she can argue the ANC will not be voted for, or is losing its hegemonic hold, because those who can vote don’t get services, and those who get the services like foreigners don’t and can’t vote. You can disagree with her and show the paucity of reason in this argument or agree, as those on social media do. The disappointment is in the how and to whom Ramathuba’s message was delivered. If it was ol’ John Steenhuisen who didn’t understand this, just as he still doesn’t get how damaging his reference to his ex-wife as “roadkill” is, we would just throw our hands in the air and say the poor guy has academically attained nothing of note post-grade 12. But Ramathuba has successfully spent years at a medical school, and not anyone who successfully completed grade 12, like Steenhuisen, could be admitted to a medical school. This presupposes a higher level of cognitive ability on her part. And so, if she’s not stupid, why can’t she see her message was misdirected? Indeed to err is human, but why won’t she accept that hers was a major mistake and offer her apologies?

Why would she stand her ground on so patently wrong a position? Her posture isn’t too different to another delinquent serial litigant Busisiwe Mkhwebane. It doesn’t matter how many people and how many times Mkhwebane is shown the folly of her ways, she will keep appealing and wasting the court’s time. 

This week, it felt like it did not matter how many times and how many people told Ramathuba she’s wrong to unleash her wrath on a poor, sickly person about to undergo surgery. She just can’t see reason. Her behaviour must be compared to that of Steenhuisen and Mkhwebane. And this is the greatest shame for someone who, as a young, educated cadre, initially represented hope. 

If she has erred, and we all do, then it’s easier to forgive her. But if she believes her conduct must be countenanced, then she deserves to be shown the door.