Ramaphosa’s Speech: Saluting Our President

Many are hailing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech on Thursday night as one of the best in South African history. None captured the spirit as well as writer and animal rights activist, Herman H Le Roux, whose words written straight after Ramaphosa’s address to the nation have gone viral on social media, sometimes without his credit, and other times with inaccurate info. Here is his message, with credit…

I have just listened to President Ramaphosa’s speech writes Herman H Le Roux. I never thought I would write these words, yet, here I am writing them. The speech he delivered tonight will go down in the annals of history.

This is why.

He gave the reasons
He explained the process
He acknowledged all challenges
He proposed solutions
He showed compassion
He did not make it about him
He did not bring politics into it
He told us why
He showed us how
He understands the effect
He grasps the facts
He listens to science
He shows humanity.

He is not moved by fear, hate, misinformation, glory, self-love, fake information or emotion. He is moved by fact. Controlled, calculated compassionate fact. His five staged plan is a logistical giant that I hope he gets the support for he needs. It is clear he fully grasps all aspects and considers everything.

This was arguably the most significant speech delivered in South Africa in 25 years, and one of the greatest ever. Comparable to the great speeches of all time.

For all the challenges, whether or not it will work, how it will be supported there is this one thing. President Ramaphosa is not like any of his predecessors and will make a mark not only as a great leader, whether or not you like him or not but as a world leader.

You have to admit that he is a very intelligent man, with compassion and controlled dignity. I will never vote for your party, and I will still disagree with you on many things, but not tonight. Tonight you have nothing but my utmost, deserved respect.

Go rest. You are tired.

This was the speech. I do not think any speech in recent times by any world leader is comparable to this.

I will do my part as you asked, not instructed, asked, in a dignified and humble manner.

Thank you.

© Herman H Le Roux

After the post went viral, Herman posted the following message on Friday morning:

I have never, and I mean never, saluted a single human being in my entire life. Not one. In my almost 48 years on this planet, today I saluted someone for the first time ever. No human has ever received my salute, today that changed. I have never been in uniform, I refused to do military service. Today I would get into a uniform and today I would salute. I did not honour the old flag, I did not honour the new flag. Today that also changed, today for the first time ever I wear a flag. If you know anything about me, you will grasp this. Not a single leader since my birth deserved my salute. Today one does.

His name is President Cyril Ramaphosa.

© Herman H Le Roux

These inspiring words were written by Herman H Le Roux and first posted here. Herman is not a former Police Colonel (as reported by some) – “I have never been in a uniform in my life” – and is an avid Animal Rights activist with a plan to launch Animal Rights South Africa – “the only political party in Africa with its main focus as animal rights. We still have slaves in South Africa, and I will not stop until they are all free.”