China in South Africa: The argument for deeper involvement

Through chants and obscurely written font on cardboards in 1976, young black students went beyond defining their dissatisfactions with the oppressive apartheid regime and asserted their own humanity.

The protests of that year did not remain as the only historic event in the fight against that system.

In fact, that tradition of protest continued to manifest with the self-same face of wrath well into the democratic dispensation.

We see it every couple of weeks when any angry Sibusiso Shabalala, dubbed “community leader” by your favourite news broadcaster shouts to the camera “the government is failing us!”

Mr. Shabalala, or (Ta Shabs as he’s known by younglings) is in Alexandra leading a protest against the unspeakable neglect of the government he has suffered, and in Gugulethu protesting against gang violence. He was also recently spotted in Soweto in form of a certain Patrick Shai who had a standard dose of rubber-bullets so humbly handed to him.

Dramatic much but the point here is that South Africa has many ills woven into its multi-layered fabric. Your favourite news broadcaster is ever-willing to give you a break-down of these when you come back home every evening.

Many thinkers of the radical tradition shall insist it is key for South Africans to display their anger for the establishments failing to uplift them out of poverty. Some trust the sheer probability that, perhaps, upon doing so, their anger will result in an epiphany of those in control of these establishments to change their ways. The best way of governance, then, would be to focus on development and truly give a “better life for all” – as the ruling party so eloquently puts it.

However, this display of rage is over-sensationalised by the media, condemned by government officials and met with rubber-bullets by the SAPS. In the end, the chants remain echoes of the 1976 protests. So are there other practical solutions, really?

China in Africa – a solution to multifaceted problems?

To sum it all up, one is compelled to give a somewhat cliché and seemingly bland statement: what would China do?

Firstly, let us look at Patrick Shai’s dilemma: Eskom.

The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, recently made it clear that chief among problems plaguing the power utility is the capacity of its leadership. By delaying rehabilitation of the state-owned enterprise, the government has led to a stunting of growth in foreign investment, particularly of Chinese origin.

The lack thereof has resulted in not realising the potential that infrastructural projects could have on increasing investment for the state.

Failing to do this has also led to a failure of ever-expanding China to make its business footprint in South Africa. China is already supplying energy sustainably to a large body of her citizenry. It is with pleasure that we should welcome suggestions made by the ambassador.

The failures of Eskom do not only lead to a decline in the growth of the macro-economy but affect job-seekers, freelancers for international enterprises, and small companies the most. Capacitating Eskom is the first step. Other dramatic measures still appear unnecessary and reek of melodrama. By this one refers to ideas such as “unbundling” the power utility and opening it up for private sector exploitation, which, if history is anything to go by, shall lead to more instability.

New business ventures

Beyond Eskom, new business ventures need to be opened up.

It is wishful thinking that speaking about starting new ventures will lead to new ventures being established. What is needed is a resolute ruling party on ascertaining that funding is apportioned reasonably but generously to new start-ups, especially those led by young people in the tech sector.

It is at this point that one must be critical of the policy directives of the ruling party regarding start-ups. The lagging behind that shall eventually alienate South Africa from competing in the continental – never mind global – race for technological competence will be as a result, fundamentally, of failing to ignite a successful technology start-up market.

As can be seen in the case of Polish start-ups, technology will drive the economic growth of every global player in the next decade. An intermittent point stating the following must be provided here: the disenfranchised, more than protesting, must see themselves diving deep into the work of creating and sustaining black technological start-ups.

Technology

The popular sci-fi blockbuster Black Panther gives a hopeful scenario of an African country so technologically advanced, it becomes the soul of an entire intergalactic war playing out on earth. South Africa could be that country but is not alone in the race to being the first in the continent.

A fresh perspective on the start-up eco-system will allow President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling party to create a hub of technological innovation that will radiate the sunbeams of innovation to the rest of the continent and, indeed, the globe – if we play our cards right.

As a third consideration, one is obliged to address the reluctance and, at times, resistance, to Chinese interventions in South Africa. The advances made by the Chinese in medicine could potentially alleviate the understaffed, undertrained and overworked medical professionals in South Africa. More than this, there remain many a way Chinese technology can address the numerous challenges plaguing South Africa.

Despite the medical fraternity, Chinese technology can improve the farming industry and possibly solve only some issues constituting the land expropriation debate. There is no need to prove that there is some technological solution to almost every conundrum, either in industry or in society, facing the dear southernmost state.

The African market is enormous and contains huge potential profits for China.

Nevertheless, the deal is more favourable for South Africa and the continent if it gets to reverse the effects of colonialism and leapfrog into the future currently in the becoming at the same time. Unfortunately, this market cannot be profitable for either side without the installation of authentic and capable leaders as well as the fundamental energy crisis being resolved. The yin is in the yang and vice versa. Let’s give Ta Shabs a break.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TheSouthAfrican.com.