Leadership and good governance are intertwined issues. In the context of this particular conference and the theme we are discussing, the democratic principles of accountability and tolerance are paramount.
It is a lack of accountability as well as intolerance that lies at the root of many of the leadership and governance failures that we have witnessed in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
In Africa a new paradigm in leadership and good governance means that African countries are increasingly taking charge of their destinies and the destiny of their regions and continent. Regrettably, the old paradigm raises its head from time to time where former colonizers attempt to influence matters by supporting rebels financially and logistically, or by slandering and undermining the efforts of African countries whose influence on the continent they fear will soon eclipse their own.
There is also a new paradigm visible in European leadership. The question of a new Cold War has been avoided by, for instance, a person formerly from East Germany now being the leader of a united Germany. But here too, we see the old paradigm raising its head at times in the form of intolerance and the resurgence of right-wing extremism.
In the same vein, the leadership of the European Union deserves praise for relaxing trade with certain counties in the Middle East as well as Africa, although a lot still needs to be done.
The other burning issue revolves around the question of why the Doha Round of World Trade Organization talks collapsed whilst we still face the challenges of high fuel and food prices as well as vast trade imbalances. We must expect that the leaders of these countries will sit down to find solutions. It is necessary to remember that the infrastructures of countries in Africa are significantly inferior to that of the European Union.
It is in this context that we say the governments of the developing world must do more. It is especially difficult for a country like South Africa, whose population elect leaders with the expectation of delivery that will address centuries of discrimination and oppression, but our hands are tied by external factors such as unfair international trade. There is therefore a need for the developed world to relax certain barriers and open opportunities for the developing countries, in order for us to develop and become capable of fulfilling our potential.
As South Africans and Africans, we owe a debt of gratitude to former South African President Thabo Mbeki for his untiring efforts to make my country and continent relevant participants in international forums. The efforts of Mbeki have seen Africa’s leaders being able to dine at the table with the G-8.
Spearheaded by Mbeki and others, a new brand of African leaders has emerged to pursue the objective of an African Renaissance. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development and its principles have focused the eyes of African nations on the ways in which good governance and a new paradigm of leadership can uplift the continent.
Multi-party democracy is engulfing Africa, and we are hearing less and less of this or that African government suffering a coup or being governed by autocratic regimes. Of course we are a long way from where we want to be, but at least we can already say that it is no longer in doubt among the people of Africa that democracy and open societies are the way of the future.
The challenge of North Africa and the Middle East is that the question of religion and culture has been used to fuel conflicts. Intolerance is again an underlying factor that is inhibiting a new paradigm of leadership.
Institutions such as the UN, the African Union, and the Arab League need more teeth to address the remnants of the old paradigm of leadership who cling to or pursue power at all costs, even if it means jumping over the corpses of others.
In both the Middle East and Africa, the mandate and powers of the peacekeeping missions need to be reviewed: can we say they have the teeth to ensure peace? Nor can we say that economic blocs and regional organizations have sufficient influence yet to guide recalcitrant regimes back onto the path of tolerance and democracy.
At a grassroots level we can witness people moving freely, marrying freely, and trading freely, even where there are state restrictions and borders to circumscribe those basic facets of their lives. The fact is that ordinary people will not be kept in artificial boundaries or locked into old political conflicts. In this way the population of Africa and the world in general are already far ahead of the political landscape, and it is the duty of a new paradigm of political leadership to respect their freedom and cater to their needs and aspirations.
The future for all of us lies in recognizing our interdependency. As the current global financial crisis is demonstrating with no ambiguity, our destinies are intertwined.
It is exactly for this reason that the election of Barack Obama in the USA heralds hopefully a new age in international affairs. It is now possible for us to reopen the international debate around trade, security, and the environment. But such a renewed global dialogue on these important matters that affect all of us can only happen if unilateralism is not the dominant feature of international affairs. It requires a level playing field.
We are no longer living in a world where states can exist in isolation. All of us are increasingly connected, and developments elsewhere on the globe affect us, sometimes within minutes. The politics of unilateralism must become a thing of the past if we are to find democratic and just ways of dealing with the complex challenges that face the citizens of the world
We need a new type of leadership: leaders who are incorruptible, who have vision, and who are speaking to each other on an equal footing.
The trend started by Nelson Mandela, Mbeki, and now Obama must be emulated in every corner. Leadership based on hope, tolerance, and positive change is necessary if we intend to avert large-scale environmental catastrophes and the squandering of precious resources on wars and conflicts.
Good governance is still a major issue in many countries worldwide. There are still those who are siphoning resources of the state to enrich themselves at the expense of their own citizens. There are still rulers who hide behind their armies to avoid democratic processes, just as the use of draconian laws is still a feature in many countries. Unfortunately, there are still leaders who avoid the courts and laws that their citizens are subjected to, whilst the politics of nepotism and patronage remains a common practice in many countries, often coupled with the politicization of the civil services at the expense of service delivery.
We need leaders who will move away from these practices and who will ensure that the interests of the people they serve come first, before the interests of their political party or personal considerations. We need leaders who respect and promote the rule of law. This new brand of leadership is necessary to counter the forces of anarchy and instability that threaten to erupt wherever democratic leaders lack legitimacy and promote intolerance.
We need a return to the ideal expressed by Thomas Jefferson of leadership as a service and burden that people with leadership abilities take upon themselves in order to repay their society for the benefits they have received.