Accountability should not have a ceiling. The President should not be immune to Questioning and Accountability. Lately, it feels like a perception has been created that President Ramaphosa is hard to reach. Sometimes, the media struggles to get direct interviews with him. He delivers briefings, does not take questions, and then leaves.

When questions are raised, they are sent to the Presidency department/spokesperson, who responds with polished PR statements. We do not want statements, we want the President himself to speak. If he can stand on a podium and address the public, he can take questions and account.

Even when a journalist does manage to get an interview, it feels like they are expected to be a fan and avoid asking tough questions.
We thought we would have an open President, someone who will account directly to the people if needed. Instead, serious matters are filtered through spokespersons, leaving the impression that direct engagement is optional.