Imperative of South Africa: An Effective Partner In African Growth

1. INTRODUCTION

Why look up if what you seek is down here or why search further if you can get it from your backyard’, this an African saying that admonishes that we use what we have to achieve what we need. South Africa offers such unique choices from political,economic and developmental path to which other African states can borrow. Coming from the ashes of apartheid, South Africa remains an important pillar given her lead in most human endeavors which presupposes that we all can work together to creat an African dream and success story we seek and that eschews geopolitical interest that increases regional rivalry. 

The story of Western Europe can not be better written without cooperation from USA through Transatlantic process, if success across the Atlantic can be recorded how much more can’t the continent with great potential achieve. It is estimated that intra African trade remains decimally poor and can be better utilized if we all work together by looking towards the best within us. Such cooperation between USA and Europe can be appreciably replicated and requires that for us to advance faster and much further, a center of stability needs to be formed from within allowing each components leaning forward to progress at ease, propelling each other to greater heights through cooperation as opposed to unhealthy competition built on narrow political economic incentives. For the continent, South Africa offers a win win option- a baseline for future African growth and development. From democratic institutions, diverse cultural economy, state of the act infrastructure to mention a few which positively supports growth and can form the bases upon which the continents growth can be formulated. The question that should be asked is; what indicators can supports the above?

   1.2 South African in Africa

Located at the southern tip of the continents map with an estimated population of 57,7 million as at 1 July 2018 (status’s.gov.za), it is a story that needs to be retold. With the collapse of the oppressive regime-apartheid, the election of Nelson Mandale as the first democratically elected President returned the country to previous position of preeminence given the contribution made through position  occupied especially as it related to existing international organization for instance formation of the UN to mention but a few. 

It would have been a monumental deserters  to say the least had South Africa absolutely abrogated the previously attained position with the intention of starting afresh but building on such position within different trajectory maintained a continued African representation. The idea of rainbow nation supports continuing with the part of growth attained whilst fixing what needs to be reworked. Her presence provided for Africa a partner whose status couldn’t be questioned given the challenges continuously face at international gathering of nations where legitimacy is at the heart of international relations. 

The status of a serious partner which South Africa represents argues well for the image of the continent. It must be recalled that South Africa was the only African state to have possessed atomic weapon and after willingly accepting to denuclearize made it possible for Africa to attain the position of  a Nuclear weapon free zone within the period proceedings the 1994 election. Such remains a success story given that as the only African state to have attained the pivotal position of nuclear status, such “Niche diplomacy” (Jo-Ansie van Wyk 2012)remains vital as status play into world power broker whilst negotiating with likes of USA and Russian in world affairs. Also as the only country representing the continent in the group of twenty states-G20, allows for African voice to be heard.This brand built over and above decades is vital and such seeks better cooperation for greater growth possibilities. Forget America, this is an African story for which can be replicated. We can find best practices that can form a yardstick for our future developmental agenda these choice when supported is in the best interest of the continent. 

Of course South Africa have similar challenges like many other African states-a microcosm of perennial African problem from poverty, unemployment and increasingly an unequal society, yet those success areas offers room for better cooperation rather than competition amongst states for the greater benefit of the general masses. An analogy derived through crowdfunding initiative argues well between states within the continent, given that best practice stands to be supported.

1.2.1 points of excellence: a positive duplicate 

Firstly governance, politically South Africa is one the most stable democracies in Africa. With a vibrant people oriented institutions like the office of the Public Protector, IPID as a constitutionally democracy, these are accountability institutions separate from the three arms of government which allows for the three important tenets of democracy to take root. These parallel system ensures that state does not possess extreme power that trumps those of the people because by definition democracy is people owned and directed-“Government of,by and for the people”. As such government exist to serve the needs of the people. The case of many anti democratic actions within African states demands that we fashion system that helps us achieve stability. South Africa is an African states which is managing to navigate the difficulties of democracy which although remains imperfect yet seeks balance and prioritizes the people above those elite that governs. With above listed checks and balance in place, the existing system manages internal differences of the state and such remains the envy of most countries around the world especially emerging economies. Two and a half decade as a democratic state, South Africa continues to shine the light on free, fair and credible election which in many states in Africa remain a contested terrain given entrenched interests that has benefited from failed or failing statehood.South African democracy though not so perfect, but represents the best that has to be given many unrepresentative nature of governance in the continent whose record of abuses from human right, freedom of speech remains abysmal.

Secondly, multiple centers of economic excellence that is not monocultural; from extraction, production/ manufacturing to name a few. The diversity of the economy helps maintain growth and can be explain why the country is always sort after on important decision center from participation in G20 and strong representation in WTO. South Africa is the only African country with representation in the group of 5 states-BRICS, as amongst these emerging states, stands in better position to bring positive associated with these group especially in areas of innovative economy. The economic strength of the country remains sort after given the innovative characteristics seen within. 

The emphasis on cooperation amongst African states makes it possible to look within with the sole aim of improving on what is already there whilst taking advantage of other opportunity.

South Africa remains an economic power house in the continent and can provide models that can easily be duplicated around given success so far achieved. Although it might be argued against with the continued dominance of the white in the economic space which indicates an unbalanced developmental trend, the continued effort to evenly level the playing ground and bring more blacks into the mainstream economy should be welcomed and encourage and remains an ongoing effort. Still, given the strives made so far the country presents greater opportunities for the rest of the continent. The integration of R/D in its economic model of development helps for future planning as were articulated in the National Development Plan (NDP),(www.gov.za).

1.2.2  challenges ahead

Much as we identify points of excellence, it must be emphasized that there is need for humility amongst states. This would allow and fasten the pace of such cooperation as human value trumps nationalism. 

The one big issue that constantly remain area of conflict rests with issues of refugees and their acceptance. It is a contentious issue given perennial African challenges enumerated above for which South African is not immune from. There is need for leaders within the continent to be honest to this issue and identify causes to human forced migration which has all to do with growing autocratic rules-human right abuses and lack of vision for the future as seen in poor policy plans.

Migration it must be noted is a human right issue but there is need for proper balance so that migrants and their rights does not conflict with host countries developmental plan. Better utilization of the opportunities presented through migration needs to be constantly emphasized so that negative economic impacts does not deprive of the such stories.

Increasing accountability amongst states from which the migrants originates would reduce burden placed on host countries and minimize such conflicts given resources depletion.

2. CONCLUSION

It is the duty of all states to work towards good governance and inclusive economic development that helps the people. The position attained by South African can be instrumental to achieving better Human security within the continent through cooperation. The truth is, there is greater room for harmonization of ideas which best serves Africa.

The Sower and then, the Reaper.

Season comes and season goes

Planted seeds has got to grow.

The sower bestrews of her seeds

Patiently courting the harvest time

        

Everyday she attends to her farm,

Keeping watch whilst counting time

The rule books close to her chest:

sower must reap what she sows-rich harvest.

        

Dead was the middle of all night,

A sole reaper appears unaware.

Grabbing much to his delights,

great is the harvest of dew time.

        

For the sower sows to reap but none,

but the reaper takes all that was sown.

Although the harvest was so rich,

Yet the sower was nowhere near nor found

Imagined Freedom

Invisible chains in freedom park

for it is so as we can see.

For lack of knowledge burdens 

as we search freedom ever we can.

Can freedom shines  through non consent?

for what we know we knew no more

freedom isn't what is said to be.

Invisible chains in freedom park,

for more we seek less we see.

No one ever says freedom wasn’t free!

yet non can speak of these in freedom park.

Now, what's ahead we can’t defined

for as we walk so does the park.

No less can freedom ever be spoken nor felt

Rumor has it the park is moved.

could freedom also move like that?

As leads are on the high rise,

so would we ever know how far it’s gone?

Roots and route all points to thee we own

Freedom root is right in us they say!

Maybe it is with the other sides

to know is our achilles hills for,

If we admit, lest be shamed of freedom park

For once lost we seek of thee

But could freedom just be gone like that?

Alone in speeches thy greatness tales

as we sit right in this park seeking freedom.

Rampant Corruption Bleeds Subdued Electorate

Rampant corruption bleeds subdued electorates: An unchanging political reflection of Nigerian state.

A preferred title for this article would have been, ‘corruption 101: effects on the voting age’, but given that this is election season in Nigeria, the need to look at the broader state of affairs elicited a much more wholistic rather than selective approach.

Nigerian situation has reached a point which requires a total relook at where we are going rather what we currently have in place. It requires an honest and whole hearted effort for which not only are the leaders called to take corrective steps but also those who are governed need also be involved an event that  necessity reorientation as a cause of action for corrective measures to be taken. What should this involve, it requires a re-evaluation of what we have accepted as normal practices through conscious effort of self sacrifices and ownership of our collective responsibility so as to achieve the trejactory in our desired development. This includes and not limited to self sacrifice- a rededication of oneself in their respective areas of work/employment for the collective good of all. 

Wouldn’t want to call our drive to democratic imparetives at various level in our institutions a waste of effort given the short falls that continues to impede our movement. This is highlighted in the fact that, the strength of human mind can transcend evil at every given time when they are ready to do so and would always win. A good example would be the case of Arab Spring that took place not to long ago but we must be careful of what we wish for since outcome are not always predictable. This can be seen in the various results from; Tunisia, Egypt,Libya and Syria and the latest drive for democratic outcome in Venezuela.

Back to the situation in Nigeria, the level of corruption is such that most institution are at a state of paralysis. Corruption is defined by Corruption Perceptions Index (www.pwc.com/ng) as “Abuse of public office for private gain”. Imagine going to the hospital and haven had blood samples taken from you, days after you are called upon to retake the same sample because the previous one was misplaced. The question that quickly comes to mind would be, by whom? Given the high level unaccountability, no one gets held responsibility because it is still within the trash hold of normalcy.

A personal encounter with a motorcyclist popularly know as Okada-a popular means of transport in Nigeria, gives a grim picture of life of an ordinary Nigerian who see change as a distant dream. Prior to the election I had the opportunity of riding with an okada man. As has become part of an ongoing re-education drive in this season of elections targeting the masses on how to take back their power during this upcoming election, I decided to engage him on issues related to upcoming election especially poor road infrastructure and on his views about candidates policy based campaign related issues.

“It is election time he said and there is high probability of quick response to impress the voters, a clear indication of directives from above. We see this often, new projects gets started or promised to be initiated with the hope of attracting new voters towards what they say”. The true fact is that, these projects gets introduced and are rarely ever considered until next season for electioneering- use them, dump them mentality. These projects counts as many white elephant scattered across the country where money have been wasted without form of accountability.

The conversation continued towards the readiness to vote in the upcoming election.

How would you vote I know you must have chosen a candidate?

Which election ?

Don’t tell me you aren’t going to vote?

Of course why would I? I don’t have time because they have made arrangements for their friends to occupy various post with or without my vote.

But do you know your vote still counts notwithstanding your dissatisfaction, you have to make your voice heard by still voting from  amongst those available.

There is little I can do, they organize few group, give them money and these guys would unleash terror to anyone who speaks against their benefactor.

That moment the impact of politics and how it has shapes  the life of the people became more of a lived experience.The reality of how Nigerian political situation has reflected badly on everyday life of her citizen became more clearer and this in turn has conditioned the masses, numbed them that they live each day without clarity to what tomorrow brings. Their desire for good governance remains an unending quest, the question remain, for how long and at what cost?

A drive around community within different Eastern states would show high level of despair given lack of basic necessities that should aid them as evidence of good governance. This is reflected not just in words but also through people to people encounter which continues to highlight height of despondency within-absence of policy based issue campaign for which they have little or no say and still are forced to vote. It is this sorrowful state of affairs that has come to dominate everyday life for ordinary Nigerians for which they have no forms of recourse. Electing the same people or their prodigies who continues to loot the system make landfall mockery of the system that let looters get away when corruption is of obvious reality. These experiences vividly explains the negative effects of corruption which burdens the very foundation of accountability.

Corruption weakens the fairness of institutions, since its processes are a misdirection of policies and relevant priorities. Its existence of course allows for illegitimate forms of governance given their low level of trust among voters whose consent are constantly betrayed. It ultimately leads to erosion of human rights and dignity of human person given the governmental inability to continue performing within acceptable trash hold of normalcy. Drive around town and see police officers collecting bribe in the open since the basic norm of acceptable behavior are difficult to obtain and people are ready to give because they are afraid of having their rights violated. 

If there is low voter turn out do not discard the reasons above because people have lost hope on any possibility of near future corrupt free society. So the need to avoid standing in long queues under the scorching sun. But should people vote and retain the same existing system they complain about then know that the system numbness has left them with no option.

People sees a government that is there to serve the interests of those at the corridors of power. Rampant corruption breeds numb electorate because there comes a time when effort to transform is not supported or is strongly challenged. These occurs given the level of abuses which the people have come to accept as well perfect. The people would rather side with the wrong doer because they feel it is there time to cut the slice of the national cake than expose them for fear of victimization.The society becomes numb and continue to close her eyes to wrongdoing that are committed. A motorist ones said ‘it is better to give bribe and continue with your business than been taken to the police station for spurious or trumped up charges which would deny them their daily livelihood. 

Corruptions as an everyday lived experience, is a human right issue as such requires effort aimed at eradicating it. An anti-corruption campaign should encourage greater synergy for protection and promotion of those rights of citizens to seek better governance structure that is accountable and meets their needs. 

This election continues to show and exposed a systemic gate keeping attitude by political office bearers who act not as the people’s mouth piece. They are there to fulfill their personal desires at the detriment of the people they are meant to represent. Pick 100 people from each states within the federation survey then and you would be surprised by their various responses, these similarity are an indication of how spread the system has become entrenched. This empathetic corrupt tendency- numbness towards act of corruption, has become a war that needs to be fought and must be won to get the country’s moral direction right. This victim remorselessness which has taken root allows the perpetrators to continue to live large at the masses expense making mockery of what democracy come really yield.

As an ardent student of good governance and civil responsibility, the truth is, the masses are struggling to make sense of where to draw the lines between what is their right and how to push for such rights to be fulfilled. At every point the odd is stack against them as they struggle to make sense of the complex web of price they pay rather than the benefits of democracy for which they yearn for whilst journeying towards this promised land.