A conundrum for Cyril – Blair

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair talked about Africa in general, answering questions on South Africa, specifically regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa and EFF leader Julius Malema, at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London yesterday.

Other speakers at the summit included Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba, Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote and Investec CEO Hendrik du Toit.

While most of Blair’s comments were general in nature, with an official Financial Times account saying he discussed “the importance of governance, global investment and the challenges of pushing through policy reforms”, he also fielded questions on South Africa.

Asked about SA’s president, Blair said Ramaphosa’s “challenge is the misalignment between expectations and what he can deliver”.

Financial Times editor Lionel Barber asked how much in terms of political concessions Ramaphosa would have to “give” to Malema and his party.

Blair briefly turned his attention to Malema, whom he called a populist.

Reactions to Blair’s words differed sharply. While one user said she was “absolutely amazed by his depth knowledge of the continent,” another user highlighted his controversial human rights record, particularly regarding the 2003 invasion of Iraq. – Citizen reporter