Africa on Barack Obama
November 15th, 2008 | by kilps |Helen Zille has something right in her weekly newsletter – that Africa has Barack Obama wrong:
The Zimbabwean dictator interpreted Obama’s victory through a racial prism; he saw it as an affirmation of racial identity. In fact, it was the exact opposite. It was the triumph of the open, opportunity society that enabled Obama to transcend racial barriers.
While Obama campaigned on the change ticket and things probably will change – foreign leaders cannot just expect that to be to the benefit of them. It will be interesting to see how long the diplomatic honeymoon lasts.
4 Responses to “Africa on Barack Obama”
By Peter on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
What a Disgrace Zile Wild Outburst!! Heck I for and bet Many South African’s will not Vot for DA Shocking Behaviour . Lost My Vote For Sure
By George Annandale on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
The shouting of slogans is not quite my cup of tea.
Maybe Zille should take another leaf out of the Zuma book and develop a song and dance routine.
By roger on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
She has it exactly right, actually. That is an excellent analysis of the situation. It was the transcending of racial politics, and a racialy aligned society that allowed Obama to be elected at all. The notion that this is a victory for Africa or Africans is wrong. This is a victory for a non-racial society and a non-racial agenda. Africa will not benefit disproportionately from Obama’s victory.
For example, America’s ambassador to South Africa has already warned that many favourable duty benefits that currently apply to trade with South Africa will be revised, to South Africa’s detriment. He also warned that RSA should expect Obama to concentrate on domestic issues before looking at international ones.
And that is his job! He will be the American president, and he will be primarily interested in American issues. Those of all Americans, regardless of race or social standing, as he made clear during his campaign. This princial of non-racialism will surely apply to the rest of the world as well: Africa may well need to be more accountable in order to recieve aid and benefits in Obama’s tenure.
Obama is not a ‘brother’ or ‘comrade’ who will give African dictators like Mugabe a free reign. Quite the opposite. The fact that Mugabe congratulated Obama, where he probably would not have congratulated McCain, was likely because he holds to this view. This shows his misinterpretation of this election, and that is precisely because he views it through a racial prism!
By GailC on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
I really could not agree more with what Roger says. If Mbeki had spent more time IN South Africa instead of swanning around trying for the Nobel Prize for peace maker he might still be the President. Just because Obama is partly black does not make him likely to be more favourably disposed to African problems. He is also partly white so the only people in Africa that he has everything in common with are the coloured people who are currently still discriminated against unless they are card carrying ANC members. Obama’s message is one of bipartisanship ie the best person for the job regardless of amount of melanin he was born with.
Peter, I did not hear what Helen Zille said however I can assure you she won’t lose my vote nor that of anyone with any political brains who has voted for her in the past. She is outspoken and says what she thinks and has the guts to stand by what she says instead of obfuscate and generalise and backpedal each time the wind changes as do many of those in the ruling party who just take our money and spend it as they choose on themselves and their buddies of whom you are no doubt one. Why should the ruling party be forgiven but not Helen?