‘You Don’t Speak After The President’ – Ramaphosa Corrects Lesufi At ANC Campaign

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has reminded Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi of speaking protocol after instructing him to tell Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza not to speak after the President at an ANC campaign event.

In remarks captured during the campaign activity, Ramaphosa told Lesufi that the mayor should not address the gathering after the President had spoken, describing such a sequence as contrary to protocol.

“Tell your mayor you don’t speak after the President, that is not protocol,” Ramaphosa said.

The exchange brought attention to the order in which political leaders address gatherings, particularly during campaign events where senior party figures and government representatives may appear on the same platform.

Ramaphosa, who leads the African National Congress (ANC), directed his comment to Lesufi, making it clear that he expected Xhakaza to observe the speaking order. The remark appeared to centre on protocol rather than the substance of any speech delivered by the mayor.

Lesufi serves as Gauteng premier, while Xhakaza is the mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni. Both are prominent figures in Gauteng’s political and municipal leadership, making the exchange notable during an ANC campaign appearance.

The President’s statement also highlighted the distinction between political hierarchy and the practical arrangements for speakers at public events. Such gatherings often involve several officials, requiring organisers to determine who speaks and in what order.

Although the brief exchange did not provide further details about the circumstances leading to the comment, Ramaphosa’s words made his position on the speaking sequence clear. He asked Lesufi to communicate the instruction to the mayor rather than addressing Xhakaza directly in the quoted remark.

The incident is likely to attract attention because it involved the ANC president publicly correcting the expected protocol involving a provincial premier and a municipal mayor. However, the available remarks do not establish whether the mayor had already spoken, whether a change to the programme had occurred, or what prompted the exchange.

The moment offers a glimpse into the interactions between senior ANC figures during campaign activities, where formal protocol and the management of public appearances can become part of the event itself.

Source: https://x.com/newslivesa/status/2112562902750441955?s=46

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