I.O.V

The sun was shining. The tables were covered with free drinks and food. The mood was relaxed and refreshing. And then we realised we were attending the wrong reception. Downstairs - quick! The SOAS lecture room in the basement was sparsely occupied and, when the DA Abroad Debate kicked off, perhaps just a little under-representative.

On first - Deon George, South African Shadow Minister of Finance. Despite the country’s colossal potential and the clear success of its hosting the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup, there are still a lot of things going wrong in South Africa. We all know about the high unemployment, HIV, endemic corruption, crime, the threat that nationalising key sectors of industry might turn South Africa into the next “Zimbabwe” of Julius Malema and his ANC Youth League. But what to do? Apart from playing the blame game, no one seems quite that sure.

In the areas governed by the DA, mainly the Western Cape, things seem to be going pretty well compared to much of the rest of South Africa where the ANC, despite its support, seems to be struggling to “COPE”. So how does the DA do it? According to Deon George it is due to their policy of an “Open Opportunity Society for All” that’s doing the trick. What does this mean? It means that every individual is equal, secure and free to improve his or her conditions through choice and opportunity. It means that every culture and language is equally respected and recognised. Sounds good - seems to be working to some extent at least.  

It was up to Viscount Thurso, British MP and longstanding Liberal Democrat, to offer up some more concrete advice on how to improve things. Play to your strengths he said. Look to what you are good at, at what you have to offer and sell that to investors instead of investors selling themselves to you for whatever gains they might perceive and which are usually more than just a little exploitative. Secondly, bring those with means together with those that have no means, on a grass roots, local level. Instil in people the realisation that they, through what they have and have achieved, can make a life changing difference to those around them who have never had the opportunity to do something for themselves. Think long term. Invest long term. Lasting change takes time to achieve and, according to Thurso, a Liberal Government which, according to George, will instead of might, be at the helm of South African politics much sooner than people expect.             

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