African agenda for real freedom

The signing of a peace accord ending the 21-year civil war in southern Sudan is yet another sign that the drive to halt the conflicts that have cursed this continent and to establish vibrant democracies is starting to bear significant fruit.

To the Sudan accord must be added, for example, successful and essentially free and fair elections in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia last year, and the ongoing attempts to bring about a lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.

In addition, there are the groundbreaking moves towards democracy in Morocco, the holding of the first local government elections in Lesotho at the end of April, and economic developments such as the resurrection of the Eastern African Community Customs Union treaty.

These developments are significant because they send a signal to a cynical world that increasingly Africa is committed to democracy and to good governance. The developments also show the continent is determined to halt civil strife – often the legacy of the colonial era or interference by external forces – and to pursue policies that result in economic growth and prosperity.

They are also important because Africa cannot expect to remain the main recipient of aid from the developed world forever.

Events in Afghanistan and Iraq and most recently the devastation in south east Asia will of necessity compel donor nations to turn their attention to these parts of the world and almost inevitably result in less aid for Africa.

In the short term that will hurt.

Whether it continues to do so in the longer term will depend on the continued commitment of this continent’s leaders to pursue with ever-increasing vigour the path of peace, democracy, good governance and wise economic and fiscal policies.

That will ensure that Africa no longer relies on handouts, creating instead conditions that attract investment, provide employment, and open up entrepreneurial opportunities that will lead to real freedom.

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Knysna catches its breath

KNYSNA is the gem of the Garden Route but it’s one that is losing something of its sparkle due to huge popularity.

For that blame the property boom, the tourism boom, and the business boom which have combined to cause something of a stampede by people who want to live and invest there.

The danger of the situation is clear: Knysna risks spoiling the very charms which give it such allure and push up property prices.

One of the major problems is traffic. The national road linking Cape Town and Port Elizabeth runs through it and the route between Plettenberg Bay and George is feeling the pinch. Then there is the huge demand on services, which is why mayor Joy Cole has thrown the council’s weight behind an embargo on large-scale development until the town has the necessary infrastructure to cope.

It’s a moratorium which has been widely welcomed and which will help the town to catch its breath.

One major way of easing the pressure on the town must be a decision to route the N2 around it.

The cost will be high, not least in cutting the road through cherished forestry.

But that is the only way to help Knysna itself to work on plans, like mayor Cole’s, to keep it user-friendly and prosperous – within essential limits.

And countless travellers will be spared undue stress.