When President Cyril Ramaphosa delayed his Sunday-night address until Monday morning, and then delayed it again until Monday evening, a ripple of alarm spread across the republic.

His political opponents denounced what they called a lack of leadership. Anxious South Africans took to social media to complain about being left in the dark.

I understand both responses. In a time of extreme anxiety and uncertainty, sudden changes to government plans and inexplicable silences make many people fear the worst. ..