Putting Africa Back on the Move
An interview with Tokyo Gabriel Sexwale
June 10, 2002

As a student activist in the outlawed African National Congress of the 1970s, Tokyo Gabriel Sexwale was sent to the Soviet Union for military training. After returning in 1976 to join the A.N.C.'s underground struggle he was arrested, convicted of terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow the apartheid government and spent 13 years in prison. Released in 1990, he became a member of the A.N.C.'s national executive and the first premier of the country's most populous province, Gauteng. Capable and charismatic, Sexwale was once discussed as a successor to Nelson Mandela, but he surprised everybody by quitting politics in 1998 to go into business. Now, at 49, he is one of South Africa's most prominent black entrepreneurs in finance, mining and energy. At his Johannesburg office last week, Sexwale spoke with TIME's Peter Hawthorne. Excerpts:

TIME: Is Africa on the move?

Sexwale: Yes, because for the first time Africans themselves are taking control. We're into a third phase of leadership in Africa. The first was responsible for the liberation process. But then many of these people were betrayed [in the second phase] by those who established dictatorships, autocracy. Now I see the emergence of leadership that is saying no to corruption, no to autocracy, no to kleptocracy, no to military rule. There is a new breed of African leadership that is saying we have to go back to our principles as Africans, let's put Africa back on track.

TIME: Is the business world listening?

Sexwale: This new leadership is catching the ear of business abroad. And I mean established business. Not the sort that has come into Africa in the past and exploited its instability, its dictatorships, thank you very much. Now big businesses realize that to do business in Africa should be no different from doing it anywhere else. But they're waiting for definite measures, plans, programs, policies that demonstrate commitment. Once they see those, they'll come on board.

TIME: What can Africa offer?

Sexwale: Africa is this huge, huge market--close on a billion people, most of whom have been left behind in an undeveloped chasm. Africa is a market of people who don't have sufficient shoes, kitchenware, furniture, homes. They don't have roads or transport or communication links. Some of them don't even have cities or towns. Africa offers the opportunity to invest in all of these things. Nature doesn't allow a vacuum, and Africa is a vacuum. And if the developed world doesn't find a market for its excess productivity somewhere on the moon, it will have to look to places like Africa.

TIME: How can Africa best help itself?

Sexwale: The key word is partnership, Africa in genuine partnership with international interests. But first you have to have stability, certainty of return. And in order to achieve this, peer pressure from African leaders is crucial. Going into international markets is like a beauty parade. You've got to have the right vital statistics--in this case democracy, human rights, social justice, the fundamentals of an economy. This is where NEPAD is so important. NEPAD is the judge on the platform, saying to the contestants, you'd better look good. Otherwise you'll miss out on the development opportunities that NEPAD will offer. If we miss the boat on this one, the next won't come around for generations.

TIME: Can South Africa help sell Africa?

Sexwale: Thabo Mbeki is our best salesman. But that raises a sensitive matter. It's true that, relatively speaking, South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa. But we have to play that down, soften the noise somewhat. We can't go along cracking the whip, playing Big Brother. But at the same time we can't go around being apologetic when there's work to be done.

TIME: What do businesses want out of Africa?

Sexwale: Uppermost is the question of stability. Nobody's going to put funds anywhere until they are sure of stability and political certainty. International businessmen are no different from tourists. The tourists come in to see the country and spend some money. But they want a comfortable bed, brand names that they know, decent transportation, clean beaches, obvious security systems. Now the businessman isn't maybe as personally exposed as the tourist, but he's much more exposed in terms of financial risk. He wants to be sure his money is protected by the security of stability, democracy, human rights. There may be laws--on environment or labor, for instance--that make things difficult. But as long as there's stability, certainty and consistency, then you can do business.