We’ve all been sucked into implementing the wrong ideas. At least for a time. It’s part of the human condition. The challenge, of course, is to keep an open mind. So that it is fertile ground to accept, as Churchill famously reminded us, that when the facts as we see them alter, then it’s appropriate to change our minds.
But spare a thought for those in positions of power whose misguided ideology paints them into ever tighter corners. Getting out of those places requires courageous and exceptional leadership like Gorbachev was for the Soviets and De Klerk for Apartheid SA. Watching Cyril Ramaphosa address the nation last night suggests his moment may be approaching. The cadre-deploying, socialist-economic ideology of the ANC has taken the country into a dark place, an inevitability accelerated by the Covid crisis. Redemption requires the abandonment of outdated ideology. Let’s hope.
Across the Atlantic, Cuba’s communist government, much beloved by Pretoria, may be reaching a similar tipping point. Over the weekend it experienced unprecedented political protests and the state’s reaction – rubber bullets and tear gas from anti-riot police – was also a first. What Chinese activists attempted in 1989 at Tiananmen Square, tens of thousands of Cubans are now repeating in Havana and six other cities on the island. They want an end to Cuba’s 62-year dictatorship. Hopefully the Caribbean communists are kinder on citizens than their friends in Beijing.
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* Predictably, the riots and looting rocking South Africa has hit the global media. For the moment, the view from abroad is provided there is a rapid and appropriate response from government, the damage will be contained. The Rand’s dip yesterday was small and The Wall Street Journal, for instance, reports of mere “hundreds” of looters – not what local TV showed us but maybe they had an early deadline. However, the impact on the country’s reputation is already significant – here’s a link to a video on The New York Times which leaves little to the imagination. Among the most powerful pieces is on BizNews this morning where Mooi River businessman Donovan Carter provides an eye witness account of what is happening in the KZN Midlands town whose commercial core has been destroyed.
* Elon Musk gave his expected star turn in a Delaware court yesterday when defending Tesla’s purchase of SolarCity, which he co-founded with fellow-South African cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive. Musk was on the stand for five hours – most notable quote was his response when asked about being Tesla’s boss: “I rather hate it and I would much prefer to spend my time on design and engineering…”  Except, of course, it doesn’t pay as well.
Sterkte. This too shall pass.
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