It's time we talked about the state of our state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The past two months have been especially depressing to the transformation project in our country. A month ago, Basani Maluleke, the chief executive of the African Bank, inexplicably walked out of her job after stabilising the distressed bank, and placing it on a growth path.

As this sordid saga was unfolding, another seasoned black African executive, Tryphosa Ramano, was on her way out of her job as chief financial officer, with a toxic narrative running about her departure terms including a standard payout to fund her gardening leave (restraint of trade). This is normally given to many white male CEOs and CFOs, raising the question why it was deemed relevant to mention it when it comes to her...