Fighting for Peace and Democracy in Africa - a case of either - 'damned if we do and damned if we don't' or 'it's the right thing to do and it's in our own best interests!

Peace and democracy on the African Continent is desired by many but extreme Islamist forces are relentless in their endeavors to destabilize and take control.

South Africa does not want to hide from its responsibility to promote and support democracy in Africa but standing up to opposing Islamist forces is costly.  For me it is in our interests and it does seem like the right thing to do - but the cost is significant!

It is entirely reasonable to ask whether we can afford to get so involved - it is also entirely reasonable to ask whether we can afford not to?

The Islamist threat is great and I personally see no option but to join those who understand what is at stake.

While I say this I am also acutely aware that Germany for example, manages to avoid getting involved in other people's battles - and certainly reaps the budgetary benefits - so - how realistic would it be to think South Africa could do the same?

The question on my head is - are we not certain to fight extreme Islamists on our borders and in our own cities if we do not manage to contain them elsewhere in Africa?

French President Francois Hollande’s state visit to South Africa on 14 and 15 October, happened the day before, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius announced that France would increase its troop number to try to restore order in Central African Republic (CAR).

In a press conference with Hollande, President Zuma said ‘we have committed ourselves' and are 'ready to be part of the solution to help CAR come back to its normality’.

In the meantime The United Nations (UN) has appealed for more troops and helicopters so its peacekeeping mission in Mali can effectively stabilize the north of the country and protect civilians from attacks by Islamist extremist and armed groups.

Tuareg separatists and Islamist rebels seized three northern regions, last year following a March 2012 coup and a successful seven-month campaign by France to destroy the Islamist enclave killed hundreds of fighters linked to al Qaeda.

Democracy - is about choices - and all choices come with consequences - both positive and negative.  For me this means that we have to decide - what will bring the greatest good for the greatest number and do the
least harm all round.  Another way of saying that could be 'is it the right thing to do and it is in our best interests'?

The losing tribe gets to vote one of its members off the island!

Bernard Swanepoel - a mining entrepreneur who built Harmony Gold from a small single mine to one of the industry’s global giants - says it feels a bit like being the guy getting voted off the TV series Survivor where the losing tribe gets to vote one of its members off the island - not necessarily the weakest or the most deserving one.

On his blog he says "In much the same vein, SA society has come to the overwhelming conclusion that mining is 'bad' - bad businesses, bad employers, bad neighbours and bad corporate citizens.  SA mining is on the brink of losing its social license to operate."

He quotes three well respected reports which have brought him to the conclusion that mining is about to be 'voted off the island':

Firstly, Stephen Forrest of SFA Oxford - an authority on Platinum - concluded in October 2013 that: “South Africa is fast losing its place as the PGM industry Leader” with many producers, no longer able to sustain production, and consequently going out of business.” Secondly, the Fraser Institutes Policy Potential Index recently recorded SA’s score at 35, down from 44,5 one year earlier - investors in mining ranked us 64th out of 96 countries as a mining destination! Thirdly, research conducted by the Bench Marks Foundation overwhelmingly concluded that communities surrounding mines are drowning in unfulfilled expectation.

He says "Some argue that if we just put the “facts on the table” or throw R20 million at a fancy ad campaign…then even the illiterate unemployed will get how good we are."  But he believes it is not that
simple and that we need credible, elected leaders to create the space and a unifying environment that builds hope for the future.  Instead of national leaders blaming mining for all that is wrong in SA, municipalities distracting attention away from their own incompetence and corruption, mine employees demanding more and more, and the unemployed masses think ing that killing the golden goose makes sense! He does of course not comment on mining executives annual earnings and the living conditions if many employees etc...

I say "while Swanepoel's view is not the only view - some of what he says is worth thinking about - I think it will be a great pity if the mining industry is voted off this island - of course I also think the attitude of the mining industry will play a major role in whether they are or not.  I would appeal to communities - not to penalize themselves for the bad attitude of those who may take time to change.  CHANGE WILL COME - DON'T LET IT BE AT OUR EXPENSE OR ALLOW IT TO MAKE US THE LOSERS!"

Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP