Those who know me know that while I am passionate about Africa, I am also extremely critical of it.
Africa is extraordinarily beautiful and has amazing potential, both in its natural resources and in its people. However, this potential has long been stifled by several factors that can all be boiled down to two words, greed and entitlement, which together have resulted in Africa being viciously exploited by unscrupulous governments, corporations, and people.
Africa is extraordinarily beautiful and has amazing potential, both in its natural resources and in its people. However, this potential has long been stifled by several factors that can all be boiled down to two words, greed and entitlement, which together have resulted in Africa being viciously exploited by unscrupulous governments, corporations, and people.
I still have hope and confidence in the continent and her people, and now we are seeing the rise of a new generation of African leadership – a youthful leadership, but highly educated, ethical and determined. When they start linking with each other, then the world should look out, for these are the true leaders of the New World.
But what does all this have to do with procurement and logistics?
Everything, I believe, as Africa remains key for resources, and thus for all kinds of projects for the foreseeable future. Many megaprojects are now at the concept stage, or being planned, or delayed by greed.
Africa has been hindered by the new ‘Rush for Africa’, which is in fact a rush for its natural resources. Thanks to the two above evils, numerous leaders have succumbed to temptation, corruption and nepotism have crept in, and long-term thinking has gone out of the window in the rush to deplete resources in exchange for immediate income. National policies are poor, and procurement and contract management compromised.
Yet this new generation of African lawyers, engineers and doctors are now reaching an age where they can start to have a say, and the first words they are saying are ‘slowly’ and ‘strategic’, both of which stand in the way of Africa’s money-fuelled rush to oblivion. They are prepared to take the time to ensure that things are set up right, and that there is compliance and clarity in the new regulations and awards.
I was recently in Uganda for the first time, on business. It’s not often nowadays that I am in an unfamiliar African country. I may be jaded, but in general, one’s arrival in almost any African country is unpleasant. You may expect to encounter sour-faced immigration officials, all looking for their cut, followed by customs officials trying to catch you out. After that, you must cope with a heaving horde of people all looking to offer you some service, or at any rate to relieve you of anything that may be in your pockets, with or without your prior knowledge.
Uganda shocked me, in the best possible way. I was through the airport in less than five minutes! Immigration was firm yet efficient, customs almost invisible but definitely there, and the horde outside was respectful and pleasant. I could not work out what the scam was; surely there had to be one?
After an unnecessary fight with an honest taxi driver, which I actually did not need to instigate, he drove us along the road to Kampala quietly and safely, in just over an hour. I had been told it would take three.
Throughout our subsequent meetings with Government officials and commercial companies and organisations, this theme was continued: polite respect and honesty. In only one meeting out of 20 did we feel the old familiar unease that all was not right.
While in Uganda I met a number of 30-something executives who really excited me, but who also reminded me of a group of young South African businessmen I had had the privilege of working with before I left RSA. They are the way forward for the continent, and I must give credit to Uganda for allowing them to rise to the top, setting the country on a strong road for the future – unlike South Africa, which appears to be floundering now, unable to make the necessary changes.
This is the way forward, and I am sure we will see Uganda rising in the African and World rankings as a result of it, while South Africa sinks due to its inability to effect this generational change.
But this would be my word of advice: taking shortcuts now will hurt you badly in a few years’ time. As these young leaders rise, they will shine bright lights throughout the continent, and all of the dealings that are less than transparent will be seen and judged by them, in the new African light.
But what does all this have to do with procurement and logistics?
Everything, I believe, as Africa remains key for resources, and thus for all kinds of projects for the foreseeable future. Many megaprojects are now at the concept stage, or being planned, or delayed by greed.
Africa has been hindered by the new ‘Rush for Africa’, which is in fact a rush for its natural resources. Thanks to the two above evils, numerous leaders have succumbed to temptation, corruption and nepotism have crept in, and long-term thinking has gone out of the window in the rush to deplete resources in exchange for immediate income. National policies are poor, and procurement and contract management compromised.
Yet this new generation of African lawyers, engineers and doctors are now reaching an age where they can start to have a say, and the first words they are saying are ‘slowly’ and ‘strategic’, both of which stand in the way of Africa’s money-fuelled rush to oblivion. They are prepared to take the time to ensure that things are set up right, and that there is compliance and clarity in the new regulations and awards.
I was recently in Uganda for the first time, on business. It’s not often nowadays that I am in an unfamiliar African country. I may be jaded, but in general, one’s arrival in almost any African country is unpleasant. You may expect to encounter sour-faced immigration officials, all looking for their cut, followed by customs officials trying to catch you out. After that, you must cope with a heaving horde of people all looking to offer you some service, or at any rate to relieve you of anything that may be in your pockets, with or without your prior knowledge.
Uganda shocked me, in the best possible way. I was through the airport in less than five minutes! Immigration was firm yet efficient, customs almost invisible but definitely there, and the horde outside was respectful and pleasant. I could not work out what the scam was; surely there had to be one?
After an unnecessary fight with an honest taxi driver, which I actually did not need to instigate, he drove us along the road to Kampala quietly and safely, in just over an hour. I had been told it would take three.
Throughout our subsequent meetings with Government officials and commercial companies and organisations, this theme was continued: polite respect and honesty. In only one meeting out of 20 did we feel the old familiar unease that all was not right.
While in Uganda I met a number of 30-something executives who really excited me, but who also reminded me of a group of young South African businessmen I had had the privilege of working with before I left RSA. They are the way forward for the continent, and I must give credit to Uganda for allowing them to rise to the top, setting the country on a strong road for the future – unlike South Africa, which appears to be floundering now, unable to make the necessary changes.
This is the way forward, and I am sure we will see Uganda rising in the African and World rankings as a result of it, while South Africa sinks due to its inability to effect this generational change.
But this would be my word of advice: taking shortcuts now will hurt you badly in a few years’ time. As these young leaders rise, they will shine bright lights throughout the continent, and all of the dealings that are less than transparent will be seen and judged by them, in the new African light.
