INSIGHT by Denis Worrall

INSIGHT by Denis Worrall ______Insight is a free weekly newsletter by Dr Denis Worrall, South African lawyer, politician and business personality, covering concise and to the point opinion on sub Saharan economic and political affairs – www.omegainvest.co.za ______

PRESIDENT ZUMA’S FOREIGN POLICY STANCE

31 August 2009

On 17 August President Zuma celebrated his first 100 days in office and, as happens elsewhere in the world, every man and his dog had an opinion as to how he had performed. Generally speaking he gets full marks for style. This was something that we referred to in an earlier Insight (28 April 2009): “Nothing that we had written suggests that Zuma will not make a good, even great, president. All polities at different stages require a particular leadership. Right now, after Mbeki and all the uncertainties, we need a return to Mandela’s reconciliation and consensual style of leadership. Zuma may be the person.”

This prediction is certainly true. Leadership and the style of leadership is essential to nation‐building, especially in a diverse society like South Africa. And in this regard Zuma scores very well. In fact, as one person has put it, Zuma’s strong point was Mbeki’s weakness – the ability to communicate with ordinary people. Zuma has achieved this. He has also linked up with non‐ANC constituencies and reached out to leading critics – for example, prominently meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president F W de Klerk. Another example is his appointment of former DA leader Tony Leon as ambassador to Argentina. While many people were surprised that Leon accepted the offer, what is important is that Zuma made it.

But beyond the affability, there are reservations. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern that little progress has been made with crime, security and labour issues in these first 100 days in Office. The Chamber went on to say that the level of criminal activity currently experienced is usually associated with the festive season but seems to be drawn forward, possibly as a consequence of economic hardship. And Allister Sparks, while praising Zuma’s leadership, pointed out that possibly the biggest crisis in South Africa is in education – and much bolder leadership was needed from the President. What Sparks in effect is referring to is the difference between pure style and real achievement. After all, John F Kennedy

1 had all the glamour and charisma. (Remember Camelot?) But it was left to his successor Lyndon Johnson to follow through on all the legislation – the tax cuts, the health policy, the Civil Rights Act – which Kennedy had promised but not delivered. And as far as Zuma is concerned, delivery at all levels of government service continues to be a source of concern.

While the focus of commentary has mainly been on Zuma’s style of leadership, his appointments, and statements of policy on domestic matters, little has been said about foreign policy. Indeed, in the first 100 days what he did in foreign policy is hardly praiseworthy. The refusal of a visa for the Dalai Lama was a serious mistake from an international point of view. And his snubbing of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, during what was a brilliantly crafted foreign visit to Africa, was foolish.

That was in the first 100 days. Since then foreign policy has been fast‐forwarded, and President Zuma faces a major challenge on this front. With his visit earlier last week to Angola and his subsequent visit over the week‐end to Zimbabwe, he has clearly indicated that he gives primacy to African issues and to building relations in Africa.

While the ostensible reason for visiting Zimbabwe was to address the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, the fact is that Zuma was responding to Morgan Tsvangirai’s call on him to intervene in that situation and to do so in his capacity as current chairman of the SADC. After several hours of meetings with President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, President Zuma urged them publically to speed up the process of implementing the political agreement they signed in September. Although not much more than this is publically known, the fact is that Zuma’s approach was very different from Mbeki’s. He was much more straight‐forward and tougher as far as Mugabe is concerned. In fact, he has laid the basis for strong action at the SADC Summit in the DRC in two weeks time on the issues raised by Morgan Tsvangirai.

South African foreign policy‐makers will remember that the one message that Hilary Clinton had when she was in South Africa was: “Be tough on Mugabe”. And as we and others have said before, if South Africa really wants to dramatically improve its international image then that is what is required.

Dr Denis Worrall Email: [email protected] for all enquiries

If you would like to reproduce any of Denis Worrall’s E‐Letters you must include the source of your quote and an email address ([email protected]) Please write to [email protected] and inform us of any reproductions. Please include where and when the copy will be reproduced.

Denis Worrall is Chairman of Omega Investment Research, a South African based investment advisory and strategic marketing consultancy. He is a graduate of the University Cape Town (M. A.), University of South Africa (LLB) and Cornell University (Ph.D) where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He started his career as an academic lecturing at universities in the US, Nigeria and South Africa. His last post was as research Professor at Rhodes University. He practised as an advocate for seven years in Cape Town, before going into public life. He has been a Member of Parliament, chairman of the Constitutional committee of the Presidents’ council, South African Ambassador to Australia and the Court of St James (London).