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">https://twitter.com/chrislbec...

This is why, under the cover of the COVID-19 crisis, you see such an explosion of ANC socialist diktat. It& #39;s bottled up inside waiting for an opportunity to be deployed & #39;legitimately& #39;. Crises allow states a far broader scope of relatively costless dirigisme. But Patel& #39;s blown it.

Patel& #39;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& #39;s taken *this* level of crazy to wake up the laggards.

As far as ANC strategy and tactics are concerned, Kortmou& #39;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.