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[ANC Today] ANC Today, 11 March 2011

 

Vol 11 No 9

11 - 17 march 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

report back | by MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANE
Overview of our international relations engagements

Report Back by MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANEAn overview of some of our international engagements over the past few days - and these include President Jacob Zuma's successful state visit to France; our visit to India for SA-India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and the Trilateral India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Ministerial Meeting. >>> MORE

 

READERS FORUM
Africa and the developed world

Khwezi MabasaThe relationship between Africa and the developed world has been at the centre of debates among scholars, researchers, journalists and public officials. There are divergent views about the nature of this relationship and the manner in which it influences the developmental prospects of African states. >>> MORE

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The poor must access tertiary education

ANC Logo
The ANC National Working Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, 07 March 2011 its last meeting before the NEC sitting scheduled for 11 - 13 March 2011 to be held at St George Hotel in Tshwane to finalise the ANC candidates' list process for the local government elections, scheduled for 18 May 2011.>>> MORE

VIEWPOINT | by Mathole Motshekga

Whither the Moral Regeneration Movement

Report Back by MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANEThis is an overview of some of our international engagements over the past few days - and these include President Jacob Zuma's successful state visit to France; our visit to India for SA-India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and the Trilateral India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Ministerial Meeting.

We committed ourselves to give regular feedback on a number of developments that are taking place at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) - where South Africa has a seat as a non-permanent member since January this year.

A. President Jacob Zuma undertook a successful state visit to France from 2 to 3 March 2011.

Outcomes of the state visit to France

i) On the political front:
We used the opportunity to -

  • emphasise the strategic nature and excellent trade relations between our two countries
  • share South Africa's positions vis-à-vis African countries experiencing political and economic challenges, especially Ivory Coast and Libya; and last but not least
  • President Zuma used the opportunity of the occasion to condemn the violent nature of the clashes in Libya.

We were also encouraged by the general view of the French media that France saw South Africa as a "gateway to Africa" and more importantly that France sees Africa as a "continent of century".

ii) On the economic front:

Significant outcomes were the signing of various French Development Agency Conventions, including:

  • with ESKOM on the wind farm project (100m Euro)
  • with Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) on expansion at Cape Town Airport (200m Euro)
  • with the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority for building of dam at Durban (70m Euro)
  • the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) signed a Letter of Intent with AREVA, expanding cooperation between AREVA and NECSA in nuclear fuel and other nuclear technology areas particularly in capacity building programmes.

iii) On the multilateral front:
We were pleased to note that both countries share the same sentiments around the reform of the institutions of global governance, including the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

  • Equally committed to the success of COP 17
  • South Africa committed itself to supporting France during its twin presidencies of the G8 and G20
  • Both presidents agreed to harmonise their positions, with President Zuma praising France for its intention to inject vigour into the G20, especially its proposal for innovative financing of development and measures to fight climate change.

B. South Africa-India Joint Ministerial Commission


The South Africa-India Joint Ministerial Commission took place from 6 to 7 March 2011.

iv) On the Bilateral Economic Front
We used the opportunity of our interactions to invite more Indian companies to come to South Africa to assist us - in the creation of jobs, especially investment in the tourism, mining, infrastructural development, green economy and agriculture. We also used this opportunity to impress on our Indian counterparts that South Africa has embraced a New Economic Growth Path which is aimed at enhancing growth, prioritising value addition (beneficiation), creating employment and working towards the achievement of equity in all aspects of the economy. Republic of South Africa (RSA) targets the creation of five million jobs over the next 10 years).

On the Reform of Global Economic and Political Institutions, we reiterated our commitment to South-South relations and to working with India in the multilateral arena, including in IBSA, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), the United Nations (UN), the G20 and the India-Africa Forum where both countries have a common vision and have sufficient consensus on a range of global issues and domestic challenges. We also used the opportunity of our being in India, to thank the Indian government for its support of South Africa's inclusion in BRICS.

On the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), we agreed that it provides a platform for government-to-government interaction over a broad spectrum of issues with a view to further deepening and expanding our bilateral relations. We jointly reiterated that the JMC stands as a reaffirmation of our commitment to the strategic partnership that we have with India, based on our shared vision and common values - key amongst which aredemocracy, development, justice, respect for human rights and equity, and the quest for a better life for all our people in a just and peaceful world.

C. Tri-Lateral India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Ministerial Meeting

The meeting took place, in India too, on 8 March 2011. Our work within the Trilateral IBSA Ministerial Meeting is structured in such a way that all the three countries commit their senior members to seven working theme-specific groups, which identify issues of mutual benefit and work towards their realisation, with overall guidance provided by the three Ministers. During this meeting, some of the issues discussed included the following:

1. Agriculture


The parties agreed to cooperate on four technical areas, this is:

  • Training in programmes on wine production
  • Training in soya bean production and beneficiation
  • Training in pest control; and lastly
  • Training in the diagnoses and control of trans-boundary diseases focusing mainly on foot and mouth diseases.

2. Trade and investment


The IBSA Working Group on Trade and Investment looked into their signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Standards, Technical Regulation and Conformity Assessment and agreed to do much more to advance their cooperative work. The Working Group also agreed that the standard bodies of the three countries would meet in May 2011, in particular, to devise a suitable framework for the structural implementation of the MoU. At the heart of this MoU, is the urgent need to facilitate trade amongst IBSA countries by developing common standards where possible.

At a more bilateral level, South Africa and India agreed to look into mechanisms of addressing non-tariff barriers impeding trade between the two countries. The work on the non-tariff barriers will be intended to complement ongoing SACU-India preferential trade agreement negotiations.

D. Latest developments at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Most of the issues dealt with currently include some of the socio-political challenges that we are facing in the continent - in such countries as Libya, Somalia and the Sudan.

D.1 Libya
We would like to reiterate that South Africa has supported the positions taken by the African Union and the United Nations on Libya - and this included statements and resolution imposing sanctions on Libya. South Africa has openly condemned the loss of life and attacks on civilians and reported violations of human rights in that country. So there has never been any ambiguity on our part on this matter of resolving the crisis in Libya.

D.2 Cote d'Ivoire
Like all UNSC member states, we remain concerned about the deteriorating political situation in Cote d'Ivoire. Furthermore, we call on both parties to immediately end the acts of violence against the civilian population and call for an end to the obstruction of United Nations Operation in C.d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the removal of the siege around the Golf Hotel.

We also urge all the Ivorians to exercise maximum patience and restrain and to give the ongoing efforts by the African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) a chance to find a solution that is peaceful and respect the will of the Ivorian people, expressed at the run-off presidential elections of 28 November 2010.

D.3 Sudan
South Africa is of the view that a negotiated agreement had to be reached, and that there was no military solution to the situation in Abyei and that the African Union High-Level panel on Sudan is currently actively involved in reaching an agreement between the parties on the status of Abyei before the end of March 2011, and called for the Council's full support for the work of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

South Africa also called on the parties to the conflict in Abyei to recommit to an agreement signed in January, as well as to the Kadugli agreement.
Concerning the situation in South Sudan, South Africa expressed concern over the hostilities between SPLA George Athor forces in the Jonglei State. We also called for the negotiations in Doha to reach a successful conclusion sooner rather than later.

D.4 Somalia
South Africa supports a comprehensive approach that addresses both the economic and political dimensions of Somalia. With regards to piracy off the coast of Somalia, my delegation supports the ongoing efforts to address this challenge. We are of the view that addressing the scourge of piracy would require a holistic approach which addresses both the underlying causes of the problem, promotes the economic opportunities and address the political and security dimension of the piracy. In this connection the development coastal income generation activities and the fishing industry and investigations into illegal fishing and toxic dumping allegations should assist in reversing this growing trend.

We remain convinced piracy is but a symptom of the insecurity challenges faced on land and that for this challenge to be addressed comprehensively, increased attention to the insecurity on land will have to be addressed. South Africa is still studying the proposals of the Special adviser in order to make an informed decision.

E. Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting

Closer to home, the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting was held in Windhoek, Namibia, last week from 3 to 4 March 2011. The meeting was attended by all SADC Member States, with the exception of Madagascar given its suspension from SADC activities, pending the restoration of constitutional and democratic order in Madagascar. Most SADC Member States were represented at ministerial level. South Africa was represented by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim I Ebrahim.

Although the meeting discussed a number of critical issues, we will briefly concentrate on one of the most significant decisions arrived at - the decision on the proposed SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Free Trade Area which basically moves us towards continental integration. The council noted that the second Tripartite Council and Summit will be hosted by South Africa in June 2011 - the exact dates are still to be determined.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Inter-regional Cooperation and Integration between Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and SADC was signed by the Chairpersons of the three RECs in January 2011, serving as a basis for the establishment of the proposed Tripartite FTA that will be officially launched on the occasion of the Second SADC-COMESA-EAC Summit to be hosted by South Africa on behalf of the SADC region.

>> Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is an ANC NEC Member and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

READERS FORUM

Africa and the developed world

Khwezi MabasaThe relationship between Africa and the developed world has been at the centre of debates among scholars, researchers, journalists and public officials. There are divergent views about the nature of this relationship and the manner in which it influences the developmental prospects of African states.

An analysis into the interaction between Africa and the developed world is important because the challenges that the continent faces cannot only be attributed to internal causes. This point is emphasized in the Commission for Africa (2005) Report which states that external forces have also had a pejorative influence on the development of Africa in the past three decades.

Africa's development is not only dependent upon domestic factors such as good governance, economic restructuring, political stability and infrastructural development. These are salient issues but it is also imperative to investigate whether the actions of the developed world are conducive for Africa's developmental agenda? In attempting to answer this question the following section will focus on international trade and the role of international institutions.

The importance of international trade is emphasized in the 2005 Commission for Africa report which states that economic growth and development are linked to the expansion of trade. The report highlights how the exports of a number of developing countries have grown in the past three decades. The expansion of exports has led to these developing countries experiencing rapid economic growth.

However the African share of global trade declined from 6% in 1980 to less than 2% in 2002. This decline is a result of developed countries taking measures that restrict African states from selling products in their countries (Commission for Africa Report 2005).

Developing countries export capacity, especially Africa's is undermined by unjust trade practices. Agricultural products from developing nations face protection that is four to seven times higher than goods manufactured in the Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development states (Newframer 2006:16).

This unjust protection has a negative effect on the development of Africa in particular because a large number of the population depends on the agricultural sector for survival. Another practice which restricts the ability of developing countries goods to enter markets in the US and Europe is the support given by developed countries to local or domestic producers.

This support comes in the form of quotas, high tariffs or subsidies which ensure that exports from developing countries remain unattractive and also cause global price instability. An example would be the US cotton subsidies which decrease the global price of cotton by 10-20%. This leads to farmers from less developed countries experiencing a decrease in returns (Newframer 2006 17-18). African countries are affected because of their heavy reliance on these primary commodities e.g. cotton.

The unjust trade practices are not only confined to agricultural goods or primary commodities, the tariffs paid by producers of manufactured goods from developing countries is double the amount that developed countries charge producers from other affluent states (Newframer 2006:18).

The evidence discussed above indicates how the trade practices of the developed world have been an impediment to African development. This point is also emphasized in the 2010 Commission for Africa Report which states that in the area of international trade no progress has been made since it released the 2005 report. Firstly the international trade regimes continue to marginalize developing countries and Africa in particular.

The failure to conclude the Doha Development Agenda negotiations is an indication of the lack of commitment by the developed world to create a just international trade system. There is no consensus on important issues such as the reduction in agricultural subsidies, improved market access for African goods and increase in the exchange of services.

These are all crucial issues for Africa's developmental agenda, reforms in the international trade regimes are crucial for sustainable development and eradication of poverty on the continent (Commission for Africa Report 2010). Secondly the commitments made at key international institutions such as the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conferences have not been honoured, an example would be the agreement that was made at the 2005 conference to eliminate export subsidies by 2013 which has not been followed through.

There has also been failure to honor commitments regarding preferential trade agreements. In 2005 at the Gleneagles summit G8 countries made a pledge to reform preferential schemes so that African producers can make use of them.

However no substantive changes have been made since 2005, the preferential schemes still have a wide range of regulations which make it difficult for African producers to use them (Commission For Africa Report 2010). There has also been slow progress in the conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA'S) between Africa and the European Union.

The bone of contention is reaching agreements that do not undermine the developmental and poverty reduction plans of Africa, furthermore it is important to take into consideration the need for integration on the continent. It is important to ensure that the EPA's do not undermine the prospects of African economic integration. Many commentators have argued that the agreements are going to have a negative impact on African regional integration (Adogamhe 2008:25).

The agreements should be aimed at mutual gain and not expose Africa to further economic marginalization or exploitation. They should afford countries on the continent space to strengthen they intra trade capacity and pursue sustainable development.

Africa's response?

The economic marginalization of Africa and the rest of the developed world can only be addressed if there are reforms in the international trading system. Changes in the international trading system are crucial for Africa's development. As stated earlier the challenges facing Africa are caused by both internal and external factors. It is very important to address internal issues such as good governance however these will have no effect if there is no change in the global trading system.

Africa and other developing regions have to use international platforms such as the World Trade Organization to transform the status qou. According to Jinadu ( 2008: 6755) Africa's engagement with globalization is characterized by struggle and contestation. African states will have to unite and ensure that they contest the unjust trade regimes which continue to undermine their developmental objectives. This contestation must take place on multilateral and bilateral platforms.

Some commentators argue that Africa should also focus on improving relations with other developing regions and nations. This line of argument is based on the premise that strengthening relations between nations in the global south is imperative for development. According to Mbeki (2007:7) underdevelopment can only be defeated by forging strong "South to South partnerships that harness our comparative advantages in this globalised world and among other things utilize our capacities to change the trend whereby most developing countries are exporters mainly of raw materials".

This point of view is also echoed in the 2010 Commission for Africa Report which states that Africa's engagement with the rest of the emerging markets in the developing world has increased especially in terms of trade. This increased engagement with nations such as India, Brazil and China might provide Africa with new trade and investment alternatives which are not aimed at perpetuating economic marginalization or exploitation.

Thirdly it is important to ensure that decisions taken by key institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the G8 group of countries are implemented. There a number of commitments that have been made in important areas such trade, aid and debt relief that have not been fulfilled. It is important to ensure that commitments from the developed world are honored especially those that have a direct impact on African growth and development.

A solution in this regard might be the establishment or strengthening of existing implementation committees in important institutions such as the World Trade Organization (Mufumadi 2007:12). These will ensure that agreements or commitments are carried out, progress can not solely be measured by commitments or pledges. These must be implemented in an efficient manner so that they contribute to the development of Africa and allow the continent to benefit from the phenomenon of globalization.

A central initiative taken by African states to ensure that they benefit from globalization is the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). This is a programme of the African Union which was adopted in Lusaka 2001, one of the key principles of NEPAD is establishing a new relationship with the industrialized or developed world. The aim is to "change the unequal relationship between Africa and the developed world" (NEPAD 2001).

In terms of trade the programme states that it is important that developed countries allow easier access for African goods into their markets through bilateral agreements. Furthermore it urges developed countries to create more just terms of trade for African countries through negotiations at multilateral platforms e.g. World Trade Organization. It encourages African states to ensure that multilateral negotiations on trade cater for Africa's unique challenges of underdevelopment.

Another key point raised in the document is the transformation of the asymmetrical relationship between donors and recipients. The prorgamme also encourages the developed world to support reforms in the governance of multilateral financial institutions so that they can accommodate the developmental needs of Africa.

NEPAD raises a number of points which are crucial for the transformation of the global political economy. The recommendations made with regards to international trade and institutions are crucial for accelerating Africa's developmental agenda. It is important that African states use the programme as a tool for responding to the external challenges they face in the international context.

This agreement must inform the regions engagement with the developed or industrialized world. Africa's response to the hostile competitive international environment must be guided by the principles enshrined in the programme. The most potent message raised by NEPAD is the idea that both African states and the developed world are responsible for eradicating underdevelopment on the continent. This profound notion is linked to the question raised in the introduction of this discussion.

Conclusion

In assessing whether the developed world's actions are conducive for Africa's developmental agenda it was discovered that developing countries are engaging in practices that restrict African trade in the global context. Furthermore the developed world has failed to honor a number of crucial pledges or commitments thus exacerbating underdevelopment on the African continent.

Thabo Mbeki succinctly expressed this problem in 2005 at the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly, during his address the former President of South Africa stated that underdevelopment and poverty are exacerbated by " A triumph of principle but a failure of practice"(Mbeki 2005:33).

This "failure of practice" is also linked to the inability of international institutions to ensure that commitments made by influential actors in the international arena are upheld or implemented. There are divergent views about how Africa should respond to this marginalization which perpetuates poverty and underdevelopment. The central or underlying question is: how does Africa transform what Wellerstein describes as a world capitalist economy characterized by "hierarchy and unequal exchange"? (Jackson&Sorensen 2003:206).

The onus to transform the global political economy is not exclusively placed on Africa, the developed world must also fully accept its obligations in achieving this goal. Most importantly the developed world must honour its commitments especially those which have a direct impact on Africa's global trade.

A central component of Africa's response is engaging with the developed world so it can take actions which are conducive for the continents developmental agenda. The New Partnership for Africas Development is one initiative taken by African leaders which seeks to achieve this goal. However it should not be viewed as a panacea, the paradigm of mutual responsibility must be reflected in all engagements between Africa and the developed world.

Africans are not requesting a "free lunch", but an international trade regime that will allow the continent to develop. Those who argue that the continents challenges are caused solely by internal factors such as bad governance and domestic corruption are advancing a myopic point of view which seeks to ignore the structural inequality that exists on a global level.

>> Khwezi Mabasa is a Masters student and Part Time Assistant Lecturer: Department of Political Sciences University of Pretoria)

STATEMENT OF THE ANC NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE

ANC Logo The African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC) held its regular meeting on Monday, 07 March 2011. It was the last NWC meeting before the National Executive Committee (NEC) sitting scheduled for 11 - 13 March 2011.

The three-day NEC to be held at St George Hotel in Tshwane would finalise the ANC candidates' list process for the local government elections, scheduled for 18 March 2011. The NEC will process the work of the regional list committees and conferences; the provincial list committees and the national list committee.

In preparation for the NEC, the National List Committee engaged all the provinces individually over three days from 8 - 10 March 2011.

On the Employment Equity Amendment Bill, the NWC expressed satisfaction with the explanation given by the Minister of Labour that:

· It is not factually correct that in the draft legislation, reference to regional demographics has been removed and reference to national demographics has been retained. Reference to both national and regional demographics has been removed and the Bill refers to "demographic profile of the economically active population".
· The intention is to resolve the complaint from employers that they are expected to comply with both the national and regional demographics.
· The amendment is meant to give employers flexibility of using either national or provincial demographics as long as they can justify their preference. A national company will be expected to use national demographics and a provincial-based company will be expected to use provincial demographics.

In view of the above explanation, the NWC agreed that the current public debate was false and based on disinformation. It re-affirmed the policy of non-racialism and non-sexism as a settled policy of the ANC. In implementing this policy, headcount will be necessary. The term Black is inclusive of African, Coloured and Indian. Any competition among these people who belong together must be eliminated. We should rather deal with the continued domination of management positions by white males.

The NWC further appealed to all ANC members to stop and refrain from behaving as if they were free agents who speak as individuals, reflecting comments that are not informed by policy.

On the South African Municipal Workers' Union's (SAMWU) comment that the ANC Manifesto "does not address working class needs", it must be put on record that the Manifesto was adopted by the Alliance Summit. In the Alliance Summit, the entire Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Central Executive Committee (CEC) was invited, with the SAMWU leadership having been part of the COSATU delegation.

The statement can at best be regarded as grandstanding by the SAMWU leadership who want to eat their bread and still have it. We ask this union not to mislead its membership and fulfil its commitment of being part of the forces for change during the upcoming local government elections.

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