Dale > you and I both have enough experience in this region not to repeat the standard pro and con arguments by rote
My family has been in SA for five generations so I would hope I have enough experience! I don't understand your position, however. From your particulars at SI it would appear you are an American who lives in Maseru and who is a portfolio manager there. Is that correct?
> That in itself is a problem - whither the post-BEE world?
I accept the need for BEE in SA but, as a member of the minority white group, I feel there should be a time limit or phasing out to it. As I'm sure you know, many whites have left SA because they could not find a job and that is bad. IMO, it is a tragic loss to the country when any educated, competent person leaves even though his place has been taken by a member of the "previously disadvantaged" group -- who was most likely Asian anyway -- and who was not actually disadvantaged.
I don't mean to sound racist but I have a problem accepting that Africans understand capitalism. Sure, they know about the big salaries for the top guys and how to spend the money but the essence of capitalism namely, deferred gratification -- by saving one's bread one can have bread and jam tomorrow -- of that I have not seen any evidence. So your question is valid and I would say unless there is a change in mindset, post-BEE SA could very easily disappear into the rest of the African mire.
> You can take Bush's "we support liberty" as you like in that context.
Thanks.
> Apart from oil, there is very little worth taking in Africa
I beg to differ. Africa has big mineral resources which are as yet undiscovered/untapped, an agricultural potential which is enormous if managed properly and also a lot of space for those who want to get away from the heavily polluted areas of the Northern hemisphere.
> I don't think the US cares much at all what happens north of the Limpopo, apart from a few Africa hands in the State Department with no clout outside their own building anyway.
Although he has been to Africa, I'm not sure W knows where it is on the map? But "ex-imperial" Britain is another story. In fact, it is amazing to me how Mbeki is feted by Blair, even the Queen, when he goes to the UK and in a way which Mandela was not. |
