Africa-Press – South-Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa and the departing head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Shamila Batohi, are running out of time to make a meaningful difference in the lives of South Africans.
They are two of the few people who can influence history and rewrite the story of South Africa and its history of corruption and cronyism.
With both coming towards the end of their terms, which may come sooner than expected for Ramaphosa if some in the ANC have their way, the window of opportunity is closing.
This is feedback from Sygnia CEO Magda Wierzycka, who outlined the reasons for her return to South Africa and how the world views the country she is returning to.
“After over seven years with one foot in the United Kingdom and one in South Africa, I am moving back to the country I call home,” Wierzycka said in her CEO’s report for the 2025 financial year.
Wierzycka explained that her return was partly due to tax changes in the United Kingdom that would have seen her tax bill rise significantly, but was also due to ongoing global polarisation.
“On my return, I have again turned my focus to the South African political and business environment, finding what can best be described as a mixed bag,” she said.
“No one can deny that corruption has become an institutionalised way of doing business. Listening to the Madlanga Commission has been brutal, unlike anything we have heard from the State Capture years.”
Wierzycka has previously said that South Africa faces a new era of State Capture, with crumbling infrastructure and service delivery as a result of widespread corruption and cronyism.
This has translated into poor economic outcomes for South Africa, with economic growth averaging below 1% on an annual basis over the past decade and unemployment surging past 30%.
Wierzycka noted in 2023 that State Capture had not come to an end under President Ramaphosa, with hopes of good governance being dashed in the face of continued decline.
“Who could have envisaged that what was happening under Zuma would just escalate and increase under Cyril Ramaphosa?” she asked the SABC in 2023.
In her CEO report for the 2025 financial year, Wierzycka said that issues around crime and corruption are deepening in South Africa.
“This is no longer white-collar crime – these are crimes committed for personal gain at the expense of the physical safety of most South Africans,” Wierzycka said.
Ramaphosa running out of time
Sygnia founder and CEO Magda Wierzycka
Despite efforts at reform, particularly in the energy and logistics sectors, there has been little progress made in tackling crime and corruption in South Africa.
The issue, if anything, has only gotten worse with no high-ranking politicians and officials behind bars for their roles in State Capture.
South Africa has sat through multiple commissions into crime in various spheres of the government, with little accountability.
“That the scale of the issue is being exposed in such a transparent manner on a global stage is unprecedented,” Wierzycka said. “Even more unprecedented would be actual change and consequences.”
The challenges go beyond President Ramaphosa. While he is ultimately accountable, those in positions of responsibility within the justice system have failed to act as well.
“So this is a call to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the outgoing head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Shamila Batohi – you have the opportunity to leave a legacy, to rewrite the story of South Africa and its lawlessness,” Wierzycka said.
“Not many people can influence history. But your time is running out.”
The crime and corruption workstream of the partnership between the government and business has been the slowest-moving of the three so far.
Significant progress has been made in opening up the electricity and logistics sectors to private players, but crime and corruption remain a thorn in the side of South Africa.
Wierzycka said there are some nuggets of good news, with the government of national unity providing competition between political parties and increasing accountability of those in power.
Crucially, it has also ensured the future of South Africa is no longer reliant on a single political party for the first time in decades.
“On a positive note, the very act of cleaning up “shop” by the government of national unity and the focus on accountability create opportunities for renewal,” Wierzycka said.
“What has not changed is the strength of our private sector, the stability of our financial system, a sound fiscal policy and the foundation of it all – our informal economy. If harnessed correctly, these can be turned into engines of growth.”
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