“No Show” by the Minister – so my question will just have to wait – Daily Newsletter

Published on:

14 May 2014, 10:44 am

Hi there,

Those watching our CNBC Africa Power Lunch programme yesterday would have noticed an inordinate number of pre-packaged inserts. It was very much Plan B, the result of some fancy footwork after a "no show" by our star guest, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel. We'd set aside half the hour-long programme to engage with him. We were told he wasn't coming minutes before the first question.

One cannot be judgemental on such events. Patel, a nodding acquaintance since we met in 1992, would never purposefully snub hundreds of thousands of viewers. He is a modest, thoughtful man. Besides, that's just not his style. There must have been some communication breakdown, or a personal or professional emergency. Even so, it was a missed opportunity. After President Jacob Zuma's pro-business pronouncements over the weekend, many in the business community were eager for the kind of detail Patel could have provided.

In my game, one spends time reflecting ahead of important interviews. Gugu and I were going to prod Patel on the National Development Plan; some obvious failings of the Developmental State approach and how the Zuma Administration is reacting to increased competition from other African countries. But most of all I was keen to hear his answer on something Warren Buffett reminded us of in Omaha. That the truly wise man is one who knows what he doesn't know. In politics such admissions are rare. I was hopeful Patel would respond appropriately to that line of questioning. Because to overcome the complex challenges South Africa faces, a large dollop of humility is the best possible starting point. Maybe next time.

Best,

Alec