MASS MAIL 25 JULY 2006 - FDA - AFRICA .... ALL ON HER OWN

FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
"Participation Builds Unity"

"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"

FDA NEWSLETTER

MASS MAIL
25 JULY 2006
FDA - AFRICA .. ALL ON HER OWN!
(All)

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The FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA proudly presents you with the following information that may add value to Africa's development. Please direct any correspondence to: info@isupportafrica.com

AFRICA .. ALL ON HER OWN!

As mentioned in my 'newsletter' last week, the focus of the world has shifted to the continuing carnage and mayhem taking place in the Middle East. You may recall I claimed: "Somehow I recognise a pattern of perfectly timed 'events' orchestrated to secure the attention of these world leaders." - See:
http://www.foundation-development-africa.org/fda_newsletter/2006/20_july_2006.htm

These 'orchestrated events' inevitably impact negatively on Africa!

Another 'event' that will impact profoundly on Africa, especially our Agricultural Sector, is the recent abandoning of the World Trade Organisation's trade talks, after five years of deliberations.

These trade talks were to address the elimination of all forms of export subsidies (or so we are told). At the previous meeting held in Hong Kong, referred to as the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, on 13-18 December 2005, the following statement was released:

"We (Ministers from the WTO's 149 member governments) agree to develop detailed modalities that ensure the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidies and disciplines on all export measures with equivalent effect by 2010."

The impact this would have had on Africa would have been phenomenal and would have contributed substantially to the principal MDG (Millennium Development Goal) - 'to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day and reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.'

It was estimated that the 'free trade' would have increased income within developing countries by $350 billion per annum. (Source: World Bank)

A sad situation for Africa!

We, all of Africa (including NEPAD), need to stand as one and seek solutions within Africa for Africa. We need to accept the fact that 'first world powers' will drop Africa from the development agenda at the 'drop' of a hat. Africa is capable of providing for herself - from within - we just need to coordinate our efforts.

A good start would be to support our efforts!

The FDA PARTNER PROGRAMME allows the private sector to participate in Africa's development and also therefore contribute towards The Foundation for the Development of Africa's efforts in serving Africa.

See our current FDA PARTNERS:
http://www.fdapartners.net/partners/index.htm

The FDA PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME is available to any commercial business/organisations and/or individual willing to abide by the principles of our FDA PARTNERS (AFRICA PARTNERS) who are willing to trade throughout Africa and abide by the following principals - Good Governance; Development objectives; Democracy; Non-racialism; Non-sexism; Commitment to transformation; Equity and redress; Common values and goals; Commitment to improvement of quality of life!

Need to know more:
http://www.fdapartners.net/com/why_participate.htm

Our PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SERVING AFRICA is becoming very popular and is receiving substantial 'hits' from around the globe - see:
http://www.fdapartners.net/products_services/index.htm
Our websites now feature prominently (Number One) when searching for "products services serving africa" on www.google.com and also when searching for "products serving africa" or "services serving africa"

Take care
Peter

COMMENTS RECEIVED

28 July 2006
Peter,
Thanks for your self-less contribution to inform Africans and our allies about the need to promote private business entrepreneurship as well as consolidate existing and create new economic empowerment agendas through the Foundation for Development of Africa (FDA).
Economic liberation of Africa is going to be championed and led by Africans (of all ethnicities and hues) in addition to our allies in the same way we had to champion political freedom for national sovereignty and elimination of raciasl/political apartheid.
The United States, where I know reside, faced a formidable former colonial power, England, but had to forge allies with France on the economic front. Africans in general and those emerging business entrepreneurs in South Africa, must not expect the US, UK and other European economic powers will give us anybreak, we need to look for alternative economic allies in the East and South Africa and force US-Europe business not to take us for granted because traditional South African being part of NATO and western civilization etc.
I have faith in the economic leadership of Africa in the next two generation as new SMME's are founded and RSA is the gateway to Africa. The USA and Europe have technogical advantage but the social infrastructure in America is failing as business is outsourcing.
I am organizing here with African Continentals from central, east and west Africa and educating them about FDA etc
Mongezi Sefika wa Nkomo
Azania Heritage International
USA

27 July 2006
Hi Peter,
Always nice to read this newsletter. I remember meeting you once at the Sandton Village Walk and I can see that you are a true testimony that perseverance does bring fruits.
African born solutions to her growing socio-economic needs, I agree with you, must be sought from Africans themselves. There is never been an ABC type of answer to any continent's and nation's problems, it a combination of solutions brought into a whole that work best.
Being an African, I am very preoccupied with the problems the continent faces, but I am also aware, and choose to so, of the huge cultural walls that must be brought down to begin a process of recovery. By culture I don't mean race, practices, traditions, etc. I am pointing to the values that will cement the societies and economies we dream of becoming.
You have had regular topics on governance (corporate and public), and these also require leadership styles. Leadership styles vary with time and persona, but three distinct styles are visible:
* transactional/transitional,
* transformational,
* executional.
In Africa we have had a visible representation of the executional type of leadership, but little of the transactional and transitional.
South Africa remains the text book example of what these leadership styles and times should be represent. And so it is perhaps no chance that South Africa is able to play such a key role on the continent.
Last but not least we have to think of an inventory of solutions that would best work for the pressing problems of our continent.
Studying the western world and the industrial revolutions therein, we can extract not just lessons but specific patterns. And further studying these patterns by comparison (between industrialised nations and with our African developing nations) we can establish traits and apply measures that fit the traits.
Some areas of focus, nevertheless, in my personal opinion, need attention in Africa, these are (in no particular order):
* Institutionalisation at government level that would enable the enforcement of fiscal discipline,
* restrictions on local capital outflows (except where capital repatriation enablement is provided as an incentive for FDI),
* promotion of domestic producer's interests,
* reforms for the industrial organisation.
Other issues that need attention are:
* investment of large human capital into R&D (this means that a lower financial investment in R&D can achieved)
* to stimulate cooperation,
* invest time in findings ways to innovate socially.
The inventory of solutions and measures is large, but whatever is found workable must then be endorsed by a conducive leadership style.
The majority of African countries at this present time in history could be deemed fit for a combination transitional/transformational style of leadership. An important aspect often overlooked in Africa is the role that women must play in this crucial transition Africa is entering. Like in the study of leadership in the corporate culture transformations and transactional leadership is best assumed by women, while men have rather executionery styles.
Always a pleasure to contribute views and opinions on the FDA platform.
Keep up the good work and all the best.
Sincerely,
Cyril Mbaya
South Africa

25 July 2006
Hi P.
Regretful as it may sound in global economics and politics there are key players and role players. These are also so called democrats who no longer practice democratic principles but they preserve it.
Pls. let us begin to debate the newly formed Natives Club as this could become either a voice and force to debate transparency, transformation, growth and development or is it faced with the possibility of becoming just another modern day "BROEDERBOND?"
Regards
Tonny SAULS
Gauteng Film Office
South Africa

25 July 2006
Yes Peter,
I do agree with you that Africa should depend on her own as our grandfathers used to do.
G8 & others are having their own agenda and priorities and we should take care of ourselves.
Stay well my dear friend.
AbdelGadir WARSAMA (Dr)
Dr Abdelgadir Warsama Legal Firm
Sudan

25 July 2006
See -
Why Today's Collapse of the Doha Round Negotiations is the Best Outcome for Developing Countries
By Walden Bello - Executive Director of Focus on the Global South and professor of sociology at the University of the Philippines.
DOHA NEGOTIATIONS
COLLAPSE
Hassen LORGAT
(SANGOCO) South African NGO Coalition
South Africa

25 July 2006
Peter,
Thanks for your mail and the work of the FDA.
I continue to hope that one day Africa will be in charge of her own matters. Real ownership of programmes and resources can only come true when there is good governance in African nations.
Genuine partners for Africa 's development will surely be of help. No amount of meetings and resolutions if not supported by effective strategies and properly monitored will bail out Africa. We have the resources to help ourselves and the world rather than be a perpetual burden. Strategies that will be more direct to the people and avoiding corrupt bureaucracies are urgently needed and prefered.
Thanks
Nike
Adenike Abiodun ODUNUGA
Food For The Nation Foundation
Nigeria

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