How Ramgoolam’s musical performance sent the governing alliance fanatics into a meltdown and laid bare the fear that has gained their ranks.

On last Saturday evening, lo and behold, a new video was unveiled; that of the Mauritius Labour Party’s leader exhibiting his mastery of cymbals and drums. Was it improvised or staged? No one quite knows.  Still, that it was shared online was a slick political manoeuvre, a rare one from the MLP since its defeat in 2014.

Deftness at music is a tried and tested recipe. Clinton played the saxophone, Obama offered a moving rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ during Clementa Pinckney’s eulogy and even the much-maligned Nixon was something of a piano-virtuoso. While musical talent does not automatically translate into great leadership skills it carries a cool cachet that is undeniable. Certainly more than zip lining in work clothes. Boris Johnson, who most likely served as model for this PR stunt, has undoubtedly more than a few cases of sheer buffoonery under his belt but at least he is an original and has the gift of the gab.

What happened in its aftermath was much more interesting. That the former prime minister can play an instrument is known but that his ‘coolness’ became on display again ruffled feathers within government ranks more than it should have.  The next morning, supporters of those in power were vehement on radio waves, rehashing episodes that have now become stale, the coffers and denunciations on his private life. This was replicated online. A press conference was even convened by two government members to dissect Ramgoolam’s legal woes which reaped more derogatory comments against the government and its members than against their target.

Image has been everything since January 2017. Spectacles are staged and followers gained. Every single activity is a photo op. The farcical is on display. Capital intensive projects mushroom around the Republic with a ferocious appetite. And all of a sudden, in this cauldron of make-believe, their opponent gets groovy and disrupts everything without spending a dime.

The battle between past and present disappointments rages on.

What a sorry sight our democracy is.