Angus Boobbyer, a recent South African immigrant, takes a local view at South African politics and the struggle for prosperity
It is hard to have a single defining image of Africa. On the one hand Africa is passion, colour and vibrancy, whereas on the other it is poverty, corruption and scandal. Rich Africans are fabulously wealthy, African poverty is the base standard for poverty and the powerful abuse power to its very ends. Perhaps this is what, as an outsider who has recently moved to South Africa, makes Africa so attractive. For me, Africa is a continent which has everything, has the potential to do so much, yet has never quite realised this potential.
In the end, Africa will have find an internal solutions to its problems.
In scholarship and the media, endless reasons are given for why Africa remains in a constant state of political and economic deadlock, a state of affairs which has existed many years. There is scarcely an African country which has not been riddled with civil war, political assassinations and disease. How, then, can Africa transform itself? There is no question that there are some incredible, inspiring people in Africa who have a genuine will to make a difference. Yet they are often pitted against undefeatable forces; HIV/AIDs, the rise of terrorism and horrific natural disasters. Many of these extraordinary Africans simply choose to abuse the huge power placed in their hands for their own gain, rather than to benefit the masses. In the end, despite the billions of pounds of aid, the NGOs that are manifest across Africa and the advice offered from abroad, in the end, Africa will have find an internal solutions to its problems. What this needs is strong political, but most importantly moral leadership. Where I currently write this from, in the baking heat of rural South Africa, it is clear that this is not the case.
South Africa’s current President, Jacob Zuma, is far from the ideal image of the man South Africa needs to lead it forward. We Europeans think of Silvio Berlusconi as the defining image of a laughable leader. However, if we were to take what Zuma has done, he is more outrageous by degrees of magnitude. He has six wives and an estimated twenty children; he did not attend school, he has been on trial for the rape of an HIV-positive daughter of a family friend, he had a love child with a woman nearly thirty years his junior and his election campaign in 2007 was dominated by allegations of fraud, corruption and racketeering. He has been acquitted of all allegations and continues to serve as the South African President. He is a far cry from Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, who is regarded as a demi-god here. Mandela’s impending death will bring every person, both black and white, to their knees in mourning. It was always going to be hard to take up Mandela’s mantle, yet neither Thabo Mbeki nor Zuma have managed to do so. Indeed it is hard to imagine anyone doing so.
However, that is no excuse for such poor leadership. The Mail & Guardian, South Africa’s premier newspaper, was last weekend filled with the stories ‘Crisis in our schools’, ‘Police may face perjury charges’, ‘Dirty war on drugs in Cape Town’ and ‘When cops became the robbers’. Within the South African police, the organisation tasked with tasked with upholding the law, corruption is endemic and rampant, suggesting that a serious clampdown is needed. A strong leader is required, one who is not scared to take big decisions and face the wrath of those who disagree.
Scarcely two decades ago, South Africa had its first black leader, perhaps now it is ready for its first female leader. Last February, Mamphela Ramphela formed her own political party by the name of ‘Agang’ or ‘Build SA’. There is currently no meaningful opposition to the ANC in South Africa. The last few elections have been landslides. A true opposition to the corrupt and nepotistic ANC politics, which can unite and restore the bond between politician and citizen in South African can only be beneficial. South Africa does not have the Stalinist state of some African countries. In many African countries there simply is no opposition out of pure fear. A look at the ordeal of Morgan Tsangivai in Zimbabwe demonstrates how far some African states are from an open and fair political system.
South Africa’s current President, Jacob Zuma, is far from the ideal image of the man South Africa needs to lead it forward. We Europeans think of Silvio Berlusconi as the defining image of a laughable leader. However, if we were to take what Zuma has done, he is more outrageous by degrees of magnitude. He has six wives and an estimated twenty children; he did not attend school, he has been on trial for the rape of an HIV-positive daughter of a family friend, he had a love child with a woman nearly thirty years his junior and his election campaign in 2007 was dominated by allegations of fraud, corruption and racketeering. He has been acquitted of all allegations and continues to serve as the South African President. He is a far cry from Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, who is regarded as a demi-god here. Mandela’s impending death will bring every person, both black and white, to their knees in mourning. It was always going to be hard to take up Mandela’s mantle, yet neither Thabo Mbeki nor Zuma have managed to do so. Indeed it is hard to imagine anyone doing so.
However, that is no excuse for such poor leadership. The Mail & Guardian, South Africa’s premier newspaper, was last weekend filled with the stories ‘Crisis in our schools’, ‘Police may face perjury charges’, ‘Dirty war on drugs in Cape Town’ and ‘When cops became the robbers’. Within the South African police, the organisation tasked with tasked with upholding the law, corruption is endemic and rampant, suggesting that a serious clampdown is needed. A strong leader is required, one who is not scared to take big decisions and face the wrath of those who disagree.
Scarcely two decades ago, South Africa had its first black leader, perhaps now it is ready for its first female leader. Last February, Mamphela Ramphela formed her own political party by the name of ‘Agang’ or ‘Build SA’. There is currently no meaningful opposition to the ANC in South Africa. The last few elections have been landslides. A true opposition to the corrupt and nepotistic ANC politics, which can unite and restore the bond between politician and citizen in South African can only be beneficial. South Africa does not have the Stalinist state of some African countries. In many African countries there simply is no opposition out of pure fear. A look at the ordeal of Morgan Tsangivai in Zimbabwe demonstrates how far some African states are from an open and fair political system.
South Africa could be the first true African country to lead itself out of malaise and conflict
At the launch of ‘Agang,’ Ramphele highlighted how ‘the dream of a democratic South Africa had been derailed by poor governance, corruption, nepotism, poverty and powerlessness’. She stated that ‘Our country is at risk because self-interest has become the driver of many of those in positions of authority who should be focused on serving the public’. Ramphele has a very impressive C.V. and her performance at next year’s elections is certainly something to keep an eye out for. Having spoken to locals here in Tiger Kloof, South Africa, they believe Ramphele would not have formed the party if she believed she did not have a chance of winning.
I will not pretend that I have a solution to South Africa’s failing leadership. However, it is clear that the country needs a complete overhaul if it is to achieve the dreams that it had at the first democratic elections of 1994. Corrupt politicians need to be dealt with by an honest, incorruptible police force; leaders need to lead by example. South Africa is a country with so much potential, which contains everything and with the right man or indeed woman at the helm, South Africa could be the first true African country to lead itself out of malaise and conflict.
I will not pretend that I have a solution to South Africa’s failing leadership. However, it is clear that the country needs a complete overhaul if it is to achieve the dreams that it had at the first democratic elections of 1994. Corrupt politicians need to be dealt with by an honest, incorruptible police force; leaders need to lead by example. South Africa is a country with so much potential, which contains everything and with the right man or indeed woman at the helm, South Africa could be the first true African country to lead itself out of malaise and conflict.
It is that last word that stands out to me, ‘addictive’; whatever its shortcomings, its poverty, its corruptibility, South Africa is a place that all visitors want to come back to
As Pieter Dirk Uys, the South African satirist, recently wrote ‘My South Africa is exciting, frightening, hot, cold, dry, wet, hilly, flat, crowded, empty, arrogant, friendly, dangerous, gentle, non-racial, racist, wealthy, poor, healthy, sick, hopeful, corrupt, unbearable and addictive.’ It is that last word that stands out to me, ‘addictive’; whatever its shortcomings, its poverty, its corruptibility, South Africa is a place that all visitors want to come back to. The message to South Africa should be this: look at your politicians and policemen, elect a leader who is an example of the best of you, and become a beacon for the rest of Africa’s politicians. Because Africa desperately needs this example, to show it the route from poverty to prosperity.