TIME talks to former A.N.C. activist turned
entrepreneur, Tokyo Gabriel Sexwale
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.
