Not only a hugely perceptive insight, but also explains why the ANC is all about solving for this equation: maximise socialism (ie state control of everything) subject to the constraint of maintaining minimum viable domestic & international legitimacy. https://twitter.com/chrislbecker/status/1260507555043868673?s=19

This is why, under the cover of the COVID-19 crisis, you see such an explosion of ANC socialist diktat. It's bottled up inside waiting for an opportunity to be deployed 'legitimately'. Crises allow states a far broader scope of relatively costless dirigisme. But Patel's blown it.

Patel's Pantaloon Politburo will be remembered as the step too far that blew the cover even in the eyes of the perpetually naive. A welcome display of the real ideological incompetence with which South Africa is governed. It's taken *this* level of crazy to wake up the laggards.

As far as ANC strategy and tactics are concerned, Kortmou's Clothing Commissariat is a setback, a blunder. They pushed too hard, too quickly. Even Big Corp struggling to toe the line. NDR regrouping will be required. May force a more rapid unwind of #lockdown than was planned.