It will never cease to amaze me how looming elections will let people act outside of what is considered normal.
In the case of the first son Andile Ramaphosa, I notice his comments with a wry smile.
Here is a businessman who is saying things I have never heard any business person ever say.
He has hired lawyers to review past and current deals to make sure it’s all above board.
Business people are usually very keen on keeping their business dealings top secret; worried that others will ruin their plans, or steal their clients.
But not Andile! He is so determined to clear his name and make sure his father is not implicated in anything, that he is flouting conventional business protocol.
And it’s all because he has been linked to Bosasa money, which he says was earned legitimately.
But now with elections looming, it’s all about credibility and perceptions.
And, let’s face it, anyone with even the most tenuous of links to Bosasa, is being viewed with scepticism at best.
As for the president, I like that he has promised that he would personally march his son to the nearest police station if it’s found that he acted illegally.
But it’s all words, of course. The president won’t see handcuffs slapped onto his boy.
And Andile hiring lawyers doesn’t mean he will make public whatever they find.
But these are all lovely sentiments to keep us voters confidently supportive.
Now if we can only get the sons of presidents to stop using daddy’s connections for self- enrichment.
Somebody should write a book; Bush, Hussein, Trump, Gaddafi, Zuma; there are more than enough examples.