- 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.
- 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.
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