South Africa, China and Mining

My sources indicate a formal launch(already consummated: see http://www.promet.com.au/prometdadi.asp )  of the  merger of Promet Engineers(SA wing; firm is essentially an Australian company) and Dadi Engineers Development Group one of China's largest project engineering firms on November 17, 2011. Are the Chinese using the South African minerals terrain as a bridgehead into Africa's minerals sector? What are the implications? For me the central issue is the multiplicity of ways in which China is positioning itself on the African continent. Strategy3 my think-pad is watching closely.  

African Economic Outlook 2011 on China and other Rising Powers and Africa : Chapter 6

The Africa Economic Outlook 2011(see  http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/in-depth/africa-and-its-emerging-partners/) has just been released. Chapter 6 of this report focuses on the BRICS, Korea and Turkey. I find the call for African unity in respond to these countries antiquated. The focus should be on the long term strategic thinking of African countries(which the report itself admits).

I made that case in 2010 (http://twnafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=321:africa-china-planning-for-the-long-term&catid=37:african-agenda&Itemid=58) and also in 2011
( http://www.brill.nl/african-engagements;Public Policy Formation in Africa in the Wake of the Global financial Meltdown: Building Blocks for a New Mind in a Multi-polar  World;Chapter 14; 2011, Brill, Lieden, Netherlands ).

The AU is too hide-bound and bureaucratic to be relied upon for the kind of detailed policy thinking that a strategic response to these countries requires.

The Power Game is On!!!

Being European is POWERFUL 

So it is official. Madame Lagarde has cornered the IMF top post. It is powerful to be European I guess. But what happened to the BRICS bluster? This was a moment to move from the trenches to the frontline and sequester some key territory in the global financial space. Of course the grande dame made calls on China behind close doors. What was the quid pro quo?

I think the BRICS have given up a gaping opportunity to take the IMF and remold it to suit the financial power matrix of our times. Or they want a European to get his or her nose rubbed diligently in the rottenness of Greece's financial mess and carry the can ultimately? Some of us are watching. But the BRICS must soon step up to the plate; action beyond the well worn rhetoric is the way forward.  

QUOTE OF THE WEEK!!!

" If you add up Africa's foreign reserves they are larger than India's"
                                                                               - Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Dev. Bank

African and China Youth interact

First Africa-China Young Leaders Forum concluded, declaration reached

English.news.cn   2011-05-23 14:56:57

WINDHOEK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The first Africa-China Young Leaders Forum concluded here Sunday, with the Windhoek Declaration reached at the end of the day, calling on young leaders in Africa and China to take their responsibilities in national development and China-Africa cooperation.

The forum, the first of its kind, brought together around 180 youth leaders from Africa and China, with 60 delegates from China, 60 delegates represent Namibia, and a further 60 from another 17 African countries.

Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab attended the opening ceremony of the Forum on Saturday, delivering speeches respectively.

"I hope that through concerted efforts, the forum will become a useful platform for regular exchanges and cooperation between our young people to better bring out the positive role of young people in advancing China-Africa strategic partnership. China is ready to give support and assistance needed as the forum grow," said Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country's top legislature.

Namibian SWAPO Party Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who is also the Namibian minister of Justice, described China as a super-friend while addressing the opening ceremony.

She said that the foundation of Africa-China friendship was bed rocked in history and molded by their fore-fathers, who portrayed a forward looking vision of a better world for the peoples.

"It is thus within this wisdom that our friendship would see many more years to come and defeat the prophets of doom that would want to reverse this noble historical relationship".

During the two-day forum, young delegates discussed on a broad range of topics related to China-Africa relations, such as its historical roots, its context, the trade and investment relations, and the role of media in shaping the relations.

"According to the Windhoek Declaration, this youth platform will become a part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) , and more African youth leagues will participate or co-host this forum in the future," Namibian Swapo Youth League (SPYL) secretary Elijah Ngurare told Xinhua after delivering a vote of thanks.

"The forum is about how Africa and China could stay together. It gives me a new vision. As a young African, I believe what the world will be like tomorrow depends on what we do today. Africans must take actions now, " Cameroonian delegate Olivier Deigui Mgbatane said to Xinhua.

Helming the IMF......

Essentially Dominique Struass-Kahn's(DSK) zippers did him in. Monitoring the international news I was mortified by the pathetic wincing of some DSK's country folk: Sarkozy they claimed had effectively unzipped his compatriots pants: hogwash. A case of selective amnesia over a record of such dalliances if you ask me.

     The IMF buildings where the fate of developing nations has been decided for decades

Now the search is on for DSK's replacement. Christine Lagarde the French finance minister has announced her candidacy. I am wary. This Madame controversially supported her colleague( then French foreign minister Michele Alliot-Marie) who was holidaying in Tunisia when the uprisings there began(the international press has been completely dumb about this since she announced).  Like DSK does she bring along to a potential leadership of the IMF some controversial baggage?

But the key point for me is the need for the BRICS to take their chance. The idea that an American will run the World bank while a European heads up the IMF is such a deadwood idea in the light of the ongoing  geo-economic and political restructuring of the world. The BRICS have issued a statement. Promising. They should maneuverer more. Of course the Europeans and Americans hold the largest number of votes. But this must change and other policies as well; the more reason why a smart, knows-what-time-it-is  non-European is my choice.  In the IMF contest lies a very public symbolic power tussle pitching the old dominant global power blocs against those trying to break down the doors. I am watching closely.