This life with Nthabi Nhlapo | Will 'Tintswalo' save the ANC or drive it deeper into oblivion?

President Cyril Ramaphosa touched the hearts of many with this depiction of Tintswalo, a fictional South African born-free, during his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, but he touched a nerve with many others. Nthabi Nhlapo reflects on why this depiction failed.

If you took any interest in President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address on Thursday night, you will be familiar with Tintswalo, a fictional yet powerful depiction of South African born-frees that lacked critical detail. The president touched the hearts of many with this depiction but he also touched a nerve with many others. This is likely because the depiction was accurate in many respects but failed dismally to unravel Tintswalo and the dichotomies of her existence by using anecdotal evidence to point out and explain some of the failings of the governing party.

Instead, the depiction only focused on aspects that paint the governing ANC in a positive light. It was clear that the character was fictional.