Obama visit significant
THE visit to South Africa by United States President Barack Obama has been overshadowed by the ailing condition of former president Nelson Mandela but that should not cancel completely the significance of the trip.
As the first president of a postapartheid South Africa, Mandela, played a critical role in leading this country back into the fold of democratic nations as we established key diplomatic allies and economic partners, including with the US.
Obama’s election as the first African-American president of the US was widely anticipated as a significant turning point for his country, although his presidency has struggled through political logjams, domestic financial crises, and an inability to give effect to his expressed intention to deal differently with inherited security policies.
Given challenges at home, it is unsurprising he is only visiting this country during his second and final term, but that means South Africans must temper their expectations of real benefits that may flow from the visit. Americans make a clear distinction between the office of the Presidency and the person of the incumbent. But the US president is the chief executive of his country’s government. When he travels, Obama brings the full weight and authority of the White House with him.
A US presidential visit is also hugely significant in terms of global geo-politics. Africans will be watching closely for signs of a greater recognition of their continent’s significance in the world.
A frustration often experienced by countries on the receiving end of an American presidential visit, is the manner in which such visits too often highlight domestic policy fault lines rather than focusing on bi-lateral engagement on issues relevant to the hosts. American presidents have been known to use foreign trips to bolster their standing at home.
These are all issues which the South African government will have taken into account in preparing to receive Obama and a delegation of business and other leaders this weekend.
Obama and President Jacob Zuma are expected to review the two country’s trade relations – especially the extent to which we will continue to derive benefits from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. There will also be a special focus on cooperation in health, education and development. South Africa’s role across the continent is likely also to come under the spotlight.
Mandela, were he able to do so, would have shown Obama sublime hospitality, while signalling very clearly what South Africa’s expectations are of the superpower.
While there may be a damper on aspects of Obama’s visit as a result of the failing health of our muchloved former president, there will still be significant work to be completed during the two-day trip.