Ramaphosa Meets Elon Musk: A Show of Empty Promises?

By Pope Troy

Mzansi’s buzzing after President Cyril Ramaphosa met Elon Musk, but let’s cut through the hype and face some hard truths. Ramaphosa flew to the 79th United Nations General Assembly, met with the world’s richest man, and now everyone’s getting all excited about what might come from it. I’ve got one thing to say—stop being fooled. Cyril is playing a role, trying to be something he’s not, and this whole act is getting old.

As someone who was invited to vote in the decision between Cyril and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, I’ve had a front-row seat to his failures. From day one, Cyril aligned himself with these so-called “influential” liberal identities—Hollywood stars, global elites, people who don’t understand the reality of South Africa or care about the struggles of our people. It’s all just a show to make himself look good on the world stage, but let’s be real: it doesn’t make him any less clueless. In fact, it makes him look even more out of touch.

There’s no question that Elon Musk is a giant in the world of business and technology. He’s done what few people ever will, building massive enterprises like SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter). So, of course, when Ramaphosa stands next to Musk, it gives the illusion of promise. South Africans are hoping that Musk’s brilliance and wealth might trickle down to us and help fix the dire state of our economy, our energy crisis, and our social unrest. But engaging with Elon Musk, while it might get people talking, won’t solve the deep-rooted issues we face.

The truth is, the topic Ramaphosa meets Elon Musk is just another attempt to scale up the socio-economic tides for the liberals he’s so desperately trying to impress. But doing so undermines the complex facets of the conservative agenda that have proven themselves over time. The liberals have had their turn since 2020, and what do we have to show for it? A string of epic fails—failing infrastructure, failing power supply, and failing public trust in leadership. Now, Ramaphosa is trying to find new ways to distract from these shortcomings, hoping that standing next to someone as iconic as Musk will magically change things.

But let’s break this down—what does a meeting with Elon Musk really mean for the ordinary South African? Will Starlink suddenly swoop in and fix our connectivity issues? Will Musk invest billions to prop up our struggling economy? The reality is, for someone like Musk, South Africa is just another potential market, and Ramaphosa is just another politician trying to look relevant. If Cyril thinks a photo op with a billionaire will save his image, he’s even more lost than we thought.

Ramaphosa’s leadership has been defined by playing it safe, trying to appeal to everyone, but in doing so, he’s lost sight of what matters. South Africa needs strong leadership, not someone who bends and molds himself to fit liberal ideals that don’t align with the needs of this country. The Hollywood figures and global elites that he’s so eager to be seen with don’t have a real stake in South Africa’s success. They’re far removed from the everyday struggles we face—unemployment, crime, corruption, and poverty. Their “solutions” are wrapped up in polished narratives and soundbites, but those don’t put food on the table or keep the lights on.

It’s not just that Cyril is aligning himself with the wrong people—it’s that he’s fundamentally misunderstanding what it takes to lead a country like ours. South Africa isn’t the U.S. or Europe. We have unique challenges that require unique solutions, and those solutions aren’t going to come from copying liberal agendas that have already failed us. The only way forward is to reject these hollow influences and carve out a path that truly works for South Africa.

The conservative principles that have stood the test of time—personal responsibility, economic freedom, and a strong national identity—are what will pull us out of the mess we’re in. Yet, instead of embracing these values, Cyril continues to chase liberal approval, hoping that by doing so, he’ll be seen as a modern leader. But being a leader isn’t about being liked. It’s about making the hard decisions that will benefit the country in the long run. And that’s exactly where Cyril is falling short.

His inability to make bold, decisive moves has left South Africa in a state of stagnation. The country is crying out for real leadership, but all we get are half-measures and hollow gestures. Ramaphosa’s meeting with Elon Musk is just another headline—a distraction from the fact that he’s not leading with purpose. He’s playing a role, trying to be something he’s not, and in the process, the country is being left behind.

Even the liberal agendas that Cyril pushes have done nothing but create confusion and division. From energy policy to economic reform, the left-wing ideals he’s chasing are out of step with what South Africa actually needs. And now, even those who once supported him are starting to see the cracks. It’s becoming clearer that Cyril’s attempts to align himself with global stars and liberal icons are not only misguided but dangerous for the future of this country.

At the end of the day, Mzansi deserves better. We need leadership that is rooted in reality, not fantasy. We need someone who understands the complexities of our challenges and has the backbone to face them head-on. But Cyril isn’t that person. He’s more interested in how he looks to the outside world than in how he serves the people who elected him. The liberals have had their time, and all it’s done is drag us down. Now, it’s time for a change.

Ramaphosa’s meeting with Elon Musk may make for good press, but it won’t fix Cyril’s broken leadership. It won’t bring the change South Africa desperately needs. At the end of the day, we need to stop being dazzled by the spectacle and start demanding real solutions. Because Mzansi deserves better. And until we get it, no meeting with billionaires or handshakes with Hollywood elites will make a difference.