When she was premier of Gauteng, Water Affairs and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane earned her nickname, Mama Action, by her no-nonsense approach to governance.
These days, the nickname remains true, but for all the wrong reasons. The action the minister now takes has little to do with effective management of the state.
As it has been reported, Mokonyane has allowed an outsider – a young man who puts a smile on her face and with whom she is said to spend a lot of alone time – to take the reins.