South Africa

PRETORIA – South Africa has ended a special programme to provide visas for more than one-million undocumented immigrants, who fled political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe, setting the stage for a possible mass deportation. But a large-scale round-up of migrants looks unlikely because of the high cost for South Africa and the risk to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe – who wants to hold elections this year – of readmitting migrants who largely support his opponents. The migrants also provide a steady flow of hard currency through remittances that support Zimbabwe’s shaky economy. South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (pictured) says immigration laws “will not target Zimbabweans”. But Home Affairs deputy director-general Jackie McKay told media last month: “Anyone who is found in South Africa without legal documents to remain in the country will be deported.” South Africa allowed more than one-million people from Zimbabwe to enter without documents three years ago, when its destitute neighbour was swept up in political violence and its already unsteady economy was crushed by hyperinflation. The Ministry says about 275 000 Zimbabweans have filed paperwork to normalise their stay under the programme that ended on July 31.

DURBAN – Major climate talks in South Africa at the end of the year are unlikely to strike agreement on a new pact but will be important in determining the shape of long-term efforts to tackle climate change, a senior United Nations (UN) climate official says. The future of the Kyoto Protocol, the existing UN plan which obliges about 40 industrialised nations to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to 2012, is widely seen as under threat. Japan, Canada and Russia have said they will not extend it, while the US never signed up to it. “It’s too early to call the Durban result – expectations are not high at the moment,” says Adrian Macey, chair of UN Kyoto Protocol negotiations, referring to the November 28 to December 9 talks in South Africa. “But my own view is that, whatever happens, I don’t see all 191 parties under the UN abandoning efforts to develop a comprehensive effort in the longer term for climate change action,” Macey says. There will be a gap after the first Kyoto Protocol commitment period expires at the end of 2012, Macey says, with a number of issues remaining outstanding. “It’s become clear that what we might be looking at in Durban is a transition to a more viable long-term architecture,” Macey adds.

JOHANNESBURG – Government is aware of the harm the debate on nationalisation is doing to South Africa’s image, but will not implement unconstitutional measures, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba (pictured) says. “We who run the country know the harm this reckless debate is doing to the good image . . . of the country,” Gigaba said at an American Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Johannesburg. He said the concerns raised by those calling for the nationalisation of the country’s assets are legitimate, but a solution is needed to unite the country, not further divide it. “Ultimately, it’s the ANC and not those who stand on public platforms in front of mikes who take the decision . . . ,” he said. The task team established by the ANC to investigate nationalisation will probably deliver its report by the end of the year, he said. The ANC will then discuss it and take a decision that is in the best interest of the mining sector as the industry still had a lot to offer the economy. Less than 30% of land has been redistributed in 17 years of democracy, said Gigaba.

JOHANNESBURG – It is nationalisation that will reconcile and unite South Africans, African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema says. "Everyone has the right to benefit from wealth in South Africa," he tells residents and students at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus. "Since the debate on nationalisation, every rich family has spoken in defence of their property . . . all of them, they are in Stellenbosch, the Stellenbosch mafia." Malema believes they have spoken against nationalisation because they stand to lose. He urges students not to believe economists, especially "the three white men" being televised on SABC, as they are "feeding people lies". He refers to the Commission of Employment Equity report, which says that whites still occupy 73.1% of top management positions in the country. "South Africa is divided as we speak, we got two economies in one country, two nations in one country, and it is nationalisation that will unite us." He says that 10% of the South African population is made up of whites, yet they control 90% of the wealth. "We want to resolve this, every generation has a mission. From today, you are the generation of economic freedom fighters." Malema says nationalisation will lead to industrialisation and job creation. The Kimberley community will no longer have to be hopeless, even though "the coloniser continues to exploit mineral resources, and failed to build even one university in Kimberley, yet they continue to benefit". Malema says that the discovery of diamonds should have made Kimberley like Johannesburg. He says the mineral wealth must benefit these mining communities.

DURBAN – Political leaders attending the thirteenth African Renaissance Conference, in Durban, argue that increased infrastructural connectivity between African countries should be prioritised, as it will create an important platform for social, political and economic development on the continent. At present, only about 10% of African trade is intracontinental, while the balance is with countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba argues that yearly infrastructure investment of $38-billion will be required over the next ten years to deal with the current deficits and to create the basis for greater trade and investment within the continent and with trade partners. The bulk of the flows will be required to bolster energy capacity, but large logistics-related investment is also key to unblocking the current constraints to intraregional trade and to stimulating new agricultural, mining and manufacturing activities. “As a result of the lack of transport infrastructure, Africa has become a target in the global scramble for resources, but social and political integration must be lead by Africans themselves, as those who are still keen on plundering the continent don’t have the will to help us solve our problems,” he says. “However, without infrastructure, economic activity will be stifled.” He points out that China has identified Africa as a target for increased investment, which had risen dramatically over the past decade. “But we must not be romantic because Chinese involvement in Africa is for its own benefit,” he says, arguing that South Africa needed to develop a strategy for engaging China in Africa.

Africa & the world

MOGADISHU – The famine in the Horn of Africa is spreading and may soon engulf as many as six more regions of the lawless nation of Somalia, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian aid chief says. Some “12.4-million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti are in dire need of help and the situation is getting worse”, UN under-secretary-general and emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos says. The UN declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia – where 3.7-million people are going hungry – on July 20. There is always a steady trickle of Somalis coming into northern Kenya, mostly fleeing violence but, in recent months, they have also been looking for food.

GENEVA – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has almost doubled its budget for Somali aid but says it will not be able to help United Nations (UN) food supplies get through to starving Somalis. ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger says his independent agency is boosting its emergency operation to help 1.1-million people in the famine-stricken country and is asking donors for an extra 67-million Swiss francs in 2011. He says the ICRC has good access to southern Somalia, much of which is controlled by Islamist militants, with two supply routes through Somali ports and one overland from Kenya, but the humanitarian organisation needs more supplies. That contrasts with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has the food, but says it cannot reach more than two-million Somalis in the worst-hit areas because the militant group al-Shabaab has blocked access to most aid agencies. "It's crucial that you can ensure access and have capacity to operate big food pipelines," he says. The UN food agency normally uses partner organisations to distribute its food aid, but it is difficult for them to get access, and the ICRC will not distribute aid on behalf of other agencies. "The ICRC is an independent agency, for reasons you'll understand, for its protection," says Kellenberger, a former senior Swiss diplomat. "And I think that's important for its perception, for its personality, especially in delicate contexts like this. I have also to add that there would also be certain logistic problems." The ICRC has not given al-Shabaab any payment, taxes or concessions to get access, Kellenberger adds.

CAIRO – Many Egyptians struggled with torn emotions as they reviewed images splashed over newspapers and repeated on television of their octogenarian former president, a day after he went on trial following 30 years at the helm. "Mubarak in the cage . . . now the revolution has succeeded," Al-Akhbar blared in a banner headline over a picture of Hosni Mubarak lying on a hospital trolley behind a cage in court. "Mubarak and his regime present in the grip of justice," writes the Al-Ahram, another State newspaper that would once have praised Mubarak's every move. A few Egyptians revelled in the scene and said his appearance in bed is an act to draw sympathy. Others say this is no way to treat an old man. However, many of those asked for their views showed sympathy but say justice must be done. "I felt sorry for him but still that doesn't mean he should be spared from being held accountable for all what he did," says Michael Atef, 27-year-old accountant. "This trial is a must." Those in the court gasped when they saw Mubarak, 83, a former air force commander, wheeled into the cage where defendants in criminal cases are customarily held. The last time he spoke was in the Police Academy on the outskirts of Cairo, where the court was set up was when he was still in charge, praising the role of the police force. That was on January 23. Two days later protests erupted against his rule.