RSS

Contact us

Friday 18 July 2008

A diplomat who could yet be the British Obama

Paul Boateng, our man in South Africa, dismisses comparisons with the American presidential contender. But Tim Walker says he has unfinished business in Westminster

Boateng is, nevertheless, optimistic about the future of South Africa and sees no reason why Britain should not maintain its position as the country’s number one bilateral trading partner. Of affirmative action — the ANC’s controversial policy of giving black workers priority over white workers for jobs — he does not feel it has disadvantaged any British company currently doing business in the country. ‘Black economical empowerment is a necessary part of the post-1994 settlement and in the long run it is in the interests of all overseas companies who invest in South Africa. The important thing for UK plc is to play a big part in that: to train the black people that they employ so that they can realise their potential.’

He admits that the recent and continuing power cuts in Cape Town and Johannesburg amount to a ‘failure in planning’ but he says that British companies are now helping to resolve the problems. ‘You must in South Africa never see problems — only opportunities.’

I ask him to describe his happiest moment as High Commissioner. He recalls going to see a rugby match between a side from a black township just outside Cape Town playing a visiting village club from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. ‘When the match was over — which we won, I hasten to add — the black boys began to sing and dance. I wondered how our boys would respond. They looked at each other for a moment and then burst into ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ with all the gestures. It was quite beautiful: here were boys from one of the most privileged parts of the world finding a common bond with boys from one of the least privileged.’

He says that, with his wife Janet, he has had a tremendously satisfying time in South Africa. When I turn my tape recorder off, however, he wants my views on what’s going on in Westminster. One can’t help but sense that this man has unfinished business there as well.   

More articles from: Tim Walker | this section

Print this article  |  Email to a friend  |  Permalink  |   Comments (4)

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Advertisement

Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine

Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms

Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved