Summary
Earlier this term, the History Society was invited to the FW de Klerk Foundation Annual Conference, commemorating the 35th anniversary of FW de Klerk's speech which set in motion the events that would culminate in the formation of our democracy. Three members of the History Society—the chairperson, Viggo du Plessis, Michael Whitelaw and Jeremy Liddle—attended the conference at the President Hotel in Bantry Bay together with a member of staff.
The theme of the conference this year was "South Africa's Position in The World Today”. To tackle this topic, a panel of four members was invited to present on South Africa's place in the world in relation to their fields of specialisation. German Ambassador to South Africa Andreas Peschke was invited to speak on South Africa's position from an international relations and political perspective; Magda Wierzycka, the CEO and founder of Sygnia Ltd, was invited to speak on South Africa's position from a business and ethical perspective; Dr Harlan Cloete, a research fellow at the University of the Free State, would speak on South Africa's position from a government administration and service delivery perspective, while Rugby World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus would speak on South Africa's position in the world in relation to nation-building and a sports perspective (his speech can be found here: https://youtu.be/Gx5RBpHE3_k?si=2DU7cWeVvIV-tXxp). The full events live recording can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/kmHgcrL6yjk?si=xPgEI3AQngQjWLDa.
.jpg)
The afternoon would culminate in a panel discussion featuring this eclectic but insightful and deeply knowledgeable group of speakers, hosted by Daniella Ellerbeck and Ismail Joosub. The afternoon would be topped off with the presentation of the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award to Rassie Erasmus for his role in uniting South Africans through rugby.
All in all, this was a wonderful affair and one whose significance was not lost on all those in attendance. The Bishops boys, in particular, were especially delighted to reconnect with the Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, with whom they connected last year as well as with Mrs Elita de Klerk who has ever been a supporter of the boys’ engagement in Foundation events for the past few years (pictures attached).
For the boys and Mr Nzuza, this was an afternoon of insight and one which has left them all the richer for the knowledge they gained there. For them and the congregation, a key take-away—which was reflected in the panel of speakers chosen for the day's proceedings—was that “we must be co-workers in creating a shared future”, a charge which, this writer believes, was not easily lost on the boys of Bishops who, in their own way, want to make their mark in the world. We are grateful to the Foundation for its invitation to the Society and look forward to further engagements with them.
Key quotes and highlights from the afternoon:
.jpg)
A reminder that “There are decades when nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen", a prescient reminder, in the opinion of this writer, considering the developments of the past two months.
We are warned of the rise of populism which “requires winning the battle of people's attention, not the battle of ideas”.
The ambassador highlighted the fact that “Africa needs to chart its own future" and that "a just United Nations must reflect this” in speaking on the possibility of an African seat on the UN Security Council, and, with South Africa being touted as a possible candidate, the desire that the country should "be an anchor of stability and reflect as such beyond our borders.” He went on to highlight South Africa's critical position as the spokesperson for “issues affecting the Global South” with the country being placed in the spotlight with its chairpersonship of the G20, having already played a major international role in hosting the Pretoria Agreement on the Ethiopian civil wars.
She asked: “are we relevant as an investment destination?” and went further to remind us of some of the things that we as a country bring to the world: 70% of the world's manganese 80% of the world's platinum. The USA imports 100% of its chromium from South Africa as well as 25% of its manganese. She highlights the return of many HNWI favouring South Africa’s tax climate vis those of new governments around the world and leaves us with a thought on whether South Africa should set its future East-looking or West-looking in light of changing geo-political arrangements.
Dr Harlan Cloete: “If there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.” ;;
The doctor provded us with the sobering reminder that South Africa is the undisputed champion of inequality. His talk was broken up into a discussion on The Weight of the Past, The Pull of the Future and The Push of the Present. His presentation artfully highlighted South Africa's shortcomings due to the stubborn persistence of historical legacies, the messaging put across by failing infrastructure and failed attempts at implementing meaningful transformation, drawing on Sampie Terblanche's book, “Lost in Transformation” to make this point. He highlighted the increasing number of coalitions across the country and the need for economic reconciliation, saying "there is enough for need but not for greed.” Under the push of the present, he highlighted the need for us to “behave ourselves into the future", in other words, making deliberate, intentional actions, moving from good to great governance, informed by evidence-based policy decisions. A simplified version of this discussion is one we will never forget: GTSD...
Rassie Erasmus: “South Africa's identity: we make a plan; we find a way” ;;
Coach Rassie highlighted his journey in transforming rugby in South Africa, beginning with the 2013 Elite Players’ Development Programme whose implementation relooked at transformation from a checklist item to something whose substantive implementation was required in the context of South Africa's history. He reminded us that we must take more time to understand and mind each other.