Day 28: Zuma and Zille Visit Investec

The Investec Conference continued today, and they really showed their political connections. Helen Zille is the Premier of the Western Cape and Leader of the Opposition, the Democratic Alliance. She spoke of the desire to open opportunties for all, and the need to eliminate the cronyism and 'cadres' that continue in Africa. When officials give out Government work based on personal reward, society cannot function. Ironically, it is often the former liberationists in countries like Kenya who then mistreat their own people who they were supposed to save. She also said that the role of Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa from 1999-2008, has been greatly underestimated in the wake of Mandela, and it was he who brought much of the economic progress to the country. And while she disagreed with many of his policies, she described the current President as warm and charismatic, and they often worked together for the best outcome.

She forecast that South Africa will have an inevitable 'hangover' after the World Cup, as a national characteristic is a 'bipolar' switch between happiness and depression. She was aware of threats of violence as soon as the event was over, but she was optimistic for the longer term.

Over lunch, security was very tight for the arrival of the current President, Jacob Zuma. In the following photo, he shares a joke with Hendrik du Toit, who was a founding member of Investec Asset Management in 1991, and is the current CEO and was Euromoney Asset Management CEO of the Year in 2008.

Jacob Zuma addresses delegates over lunch, clearly loving the attention the World Cup has brought to Africa, and intensely proud of how well it has gone.

Zuma was also in Robben Island prison for 10 years for his opposition to the apartheid regime, and is in his first term as President. He called the World Cup an economic success, and promised the advances in security and lowering of crime will be permanent. And he said the overall social benefits would be priceless, as he had seen patriotism and pride in Africa like never before. "We are all blowing our vuvuzelas," he said.
He is actively involved in the G20 and the United Nations to create equality and eliminate poverty. After his speech, a delegate from Zambia gave a very emotional speech on what has been achieved for the whole of Africa, and he thanked his 'sister'. His said this tournament was the Africa Cup where his nation had been the stage, and that after the soccer, he wanted the people to have a 'national party' to celebrate their success.

He then sat down for lunch, and stayed a couple of hours. A big man with a wide smile, he was relaxed and laughed easily. And outside on the street, the roads were closed, and police armed with machine guns covered the street corners, protecting a convey of large black four wheel drive vehicles waiting to take him to the next game. A reminder that even the most popular have their enemies.