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South Africa’s stature on the African continent, and in the rest of the world, is fast diminishing. Unfortunately, the tenure of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as chair of the African Union (AU) has delivered nothing tangible for promoting African unity or trade on this continent.
The barriers to trade between members of the AU are getting higher. Nigeria has just announced punitive visa requirements for South Africans who want to visit that country on business.
A South African friend of mine is setting up an oil business in Nigeria. She has been flying there for many years and, like other South Africans, has adopted that country as her second home.
She was told the day before her trip that she needed the following: a certified copy of incorporation for the company she will be visiting in that country; a copy of identification from the person who would be signing the letter of invitation from that country; three months of bank statements; a copy of her South African identification document; a copy of her passport; and R10 000 cash.
When she asked why all this red tape, she was told this is only half of what the South African government expects from Nigerians when travelling to this country on business.
Our brothers and sisters who come to visit our country always talk about how difficult it is to get travel documents for South Africa, and that it is easier for those Africans who travel on British or French passports.
Leader after leader has lamented how Africa’s trade routes were developed to serve our former colonial masters in Europe, yet no one has ever had the courage to change that situation.
It is a shame that many African countries still prefer a dual currency, where locals pay in local money and visitors – including fellow Africans – have to pay in US dollars.
It is not grand plans that will catapult Africa out of poverty, but an alternative value system of mutual respect and love.
This can only be expressed by means of freedom of movement for Africans within their own continent, by the wares they sell and the money they invest and make.
African youth should be allowed to take a gap year within the continent, and to travel with the greatest of ease.
Our beloved continent, with its underground treasures and brilliant people, has delivered more hope than prosperity. It is time to change that.
The old men, military generals and civilians who have ruled this continent, have failed miserably. Citizens have often chosen thugs to rule them, and where they took power through force, we have too often acquiesced or grumbled mildly.
Most African leaders have been looters as well as the originators of misery that will last for generations. Our continent’s plunderers no longer invade us in the guise of a navy or powerful army.
In South Africa, the money that the Guptas are alleged to have looted and illegally hauled out of the country has deprived some of our children of an education, denying them the chance to fulfil their potential and secure a better future.
Our youth must bring an abrupt end to this. After all, they have been at the forefront of change throughout the modern history of this country.
No foreign army will besiege our borders and starve us to death. Any starvation will be due to the incompetence of our leaders.
Businesspeople trading with African countries need to form a lobby group that can put pressure on the AU, where necessary, to make it easier to do business with each other.
Rodney Rottanburg, a good friend and successful businessman, once told me: “You will never make money from your enemies, so you may as well try to make it from your friends.”
South Africa, get ready to make money from your brethren in Africa, and redeem our stature across our continent and the rest of the world.
Kuzwayo is the founder of Ignitive, an advertising agency.
