I’ve noticed that Cyril’s addresses leave many people comforted. A lot of people say it feels like he’s their dad reassuring them that everything will work out.

I wonder if this comfort has to do with the fact that Cyril’s communication team is made of women.

That the women who are often said to be ‘too emotional’ in the workplace are now leading the country’s messaging at such a crucial time.

As opposed to dismissing our anxieties with a good story to tell, he opens with acknowledging our suffering. Even at the State of the Nation address, he acknowledged our hopelessness inflicted by unemployment. Not just the numbers but how we were feeling and pain that causes.

Acknowledgement goes a long way. Even when you bring no solutions sometimes, acknowledging people’s experience is helpful. It might be that he’s an empathetic person, but I would like to believe the women who run that office and craft those messages have a lot to do with it too.