Lazing around in the last few days of summer, I've been struck by how the ivy growing in my garden has refused to buckle to my notorious black thumb. Mulling over its resilience, I find myself wondering if our communications minister's mother hoped to pass on this quality to her daughter in giving her its name. And if she had any idea how much resilience her daughter would need in her later years.
Make no mistake, I am famous for killing off the most plastic of plants. My local nursery greets me by name and has even suggested I consider rolling out the fake grass used in action cricket facilities. Be that as it may, my ivy grows and grows and grows. No amount of neglect or - perhaps worse in my case - attention stumps its growth.
The same seems to be the case for Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri. By all accounts, no amount of negative attention gets her down. Her absences from the media spotlight are conspicuous only by the fact that nobody appears to notice she is not there.
Her industry-conferred moniker "Poison Ivy" would damage the esteem of bigger and perhaps better people, but our Ivy continues unabated and apparently unaware of calls for her head. Even her biggest supporter, and sponsor for her current position, president Thabo Mbeki, has on several occasions criticised the progress made in her field of oversight.
Educated advice, widespread criticism and desperate pleas for mercy have so far gone un-regarded by this minister.
Root of the problem
The reason for this could be Mbeki's greatest character flaw - his inability to admit he could have been wrong. As an Mbeki minion, Ivy has so far been guaranteed a ministerial position until the day she is carried out of office in a coffin.
Educated advice, widespread criticism and desperate pleas for mercy have so far gone un-regarded by this minister.
Kimberly Guest, senior journalist
Nevertheless, word on the street is Ivy's comfort zone could change during the ANC's national conference in December. Her inability to bring down communication prices has not only hit the business community, but also SA's disadvantaged communities, and party officials are said to be less than impressed.
The risk here is twofold. Firstly, Ivy may lose her position on the party's National Executive Committee. While this may not lead to her axing, it will damage her political sway should a person interested in introducing a new regime be appointed party leader.
Secondly, ANC head of presidency Smuts Ngonyama yesterday told media that some senior government officers could be redeployed as the party sought to bolster some areas within its camp. Reading between the lines, the ANC may be preparing for management changes as recent performers receive their reward through promotion and new leadership favourites get top spots. Could Ivy be part of this contingent?
Personally, I suspect it may be some time before Ivy is worked out of her current role. Like the ivy that has become my garden, I fear that no amount of neglect will be enough to address her resilience. Instead, a sustained campaign of action needs to be embarked upon; encompassing pruning, introduction of viable competitors and commitment to disposing of all the supporting roots.
Alternatively, I could pour myself another glass of wine and indulge in a little complaining as my ivy encroaches mercilessly on my front door.
Share