Ok – I have to blog about this … G8. The UK is practically in a frenzy over this! And I’m just wondering what discussions (if any) are happening in SA (or Africa as a whole)?
The thing is – we talk about the “connection” economy – but I don’t believe that only applies in a business sense. While the “Make Poverty History” campaign does not target Africa alone – it is a primary focus.
So where does that leave South Africa? With some of the worlds poorest countries as our neighbours – what responsibilty do we as South African’s have with regards to this issue? And what role does busines play? And what about the poverty in South Africa? (The maxim “charity begins at home” springs to mind…)
So many questions – not enough answers!
I don’t want to spark any fierce political debate here … but would like to hear anyones thoughts on this?
G8
I’ll try my best to also not spark any political campaign, but would like to give my opinion on the developed world’s attempts at alleviating poverty (in especially Africa). I’ll try to keep it short, but can’t promise anything!
Though the Make Poverty History project is great news and even though I am thankful that some people in the “richer” countries have that sense of unselfish global vision, I would really like to go on an international TV news channel and ask them if they have worked or lived in a developing country. Ask them if they realize that the situation in the developing world is not only the richer countries’ fault (they feel very guilty about something). In order to change the situation in Africa, you will first have to change its own peoples’ political and social mindset. Rather than giving them money to buy blankets and sweets, provide them with the knowledge on how to manufacture their own blankets and sweets (I know it sounds simplistic here – there is alot of external factors at stake – but it is more “sustainable”). Once all the G8 nations realize that they must first help Africa establish a stable political environment and a growing economical one, they can start pumping in the donation money and maybe even write off debt. Show me the person who can alleviate poverty within one year in Zim and he/she will be my new choice for Person of the Century!
And that is where South Africans play such a vital role. We DO have a relatively stable and even prosperous economic environment and all people of all cultures in the country have the ability to look at Africa’s situation from a more objective and realistic point of view. And the maxim “charity begins at home” cannot be more applicable, whether you are a South African earning millions in Australia or if you are a businessman navigating through all the many challenges in SA itself to create opportunities.
We are in such a unique situation here and we have a so much better understanding on how to “make the difference” (to use a cliché) in a realistic and practical sense of the way that I sometimes hope I can get a seat on the G8 meetings. Though I’m not an expert on the concept of the connection econonmy, I can add to the idea of “connection” not only being connected to “economy”: in a connected age where even South Africans can afford internet bandwidth and create their own websites, blogsites, become international speakers etc, what better age for a determined South African to live in than in a connected age!
“Rather create a business making a profit of R100 000 a year than giving a donation of R100 000 a year”.
Hi Gerrit,
Actually Gordon Brown has expressed similar sentiments – that money alone will not alleviate poverty. There is a lot of emphasis on the fact that political systems will need to root out corruption and become more transparent.
I certainly hope that the G8 leaders will put alot of thought into how they go about distributing the aid … but really, this is a historic event and could potentially change the face of Africa. I wonder what the ripple effects will be on South Africa?? Your other comment on how SA is an example is another really good point. We have so much to be proud of and I think we can really do so much to help Africa emerge as a strong and stable continent. Here’s hoping …
This past few weeks Frank and I facilitated a strategic planning session and team building process for the top management of one of the City of Tshwane’s departments. These are high level executives. Still, the level of political interference on operational level and the destruction of standards, morale, energy and efficiency due to this interference was an eye-opener. My usual idealistic optimism about South Africa got a bit of a set-back.
Gerrit, I appreciate your honesty and thinking on this matter. However, it is vital to realise 3 key points. First, the G8 are not looking to give ‘handouts’ to eliminate poverty. Debt relief for African nations has been strictly timetabled and is linked in with reform, economic and democratic. Second, the Live8 initiative (which has had so much influence over G8 thinking) was not a money-raiser. It was purely designed to be an Awareness-raiser. Third, (and this is purely an objective comment), South Africa happens to have the second largest debt to the G8 nations amongst all African nations. It seems to me, that as your country develops and stabilises, your Government needs to think about repaying its own debt so that monies can be freed up for debt relief elsewhere.
Just some thoughts…
Jean’s comment on the level of political interference is sad but true. It seems that so many in government are there not for the greater good, but rather their own.
And the frustrating part is that there are so many in government and out who are passionately trying to make a difference and yet are having to deal with red tape, bureacracy, incompetence and over-inflated egos.
We can’t just turn a blind eye and say that the private sector needs to step in with funds and resources.
The government has access to such large sums of our taxes that they are ideally placed to implement innovative programs which could make a signifcant difference in people’s lives.
And yet we are constantly exposed to stories of mismanagement of finances and poor administration.
Debt relief starts at home – put competent people in government (decision-making positions) who have the balls to make the right decisions and see them through. If Thabo Mbeki is focussing on delivery – then the first port of call is to deliver the right people to the right positions. And these need to be a combination of visionaries and implementers – people who can plan for the future and those who can make it happen.
I can think of a few people who need to be replaced….