The worst thing for South Africa is to have a failed or rogue state for a neighbour, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel said on Thursday.
Manuel was addressing University of the Witwatersrand students, who peppered him with questions about Zimbabwe.
South Africa is not on the point of ”signing away” a billion dollars, Manuel responded to a question about South Africa’s stance on Zimbabwe’s pleas for financial help.
Zimbabwe is in debt to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and members of the Paris Club. It also needs agricultural help to prevent another failed crop, such as that which has left it with a 1,6-million-tonne maize shortfall, he said.
”Are we asked to allow people to die hungry on our border?” Manuel put it to the students.
”Clearly, we have a responsibility. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”
It is, however, one that is exercised mindful that the government is looking after the resources of all South Africans.
He will not be ”reckless” in exercising this huge responsibility.
As a result of ongoing discussions, Zimbabwe has already increased its petrol price from R2,20 to R6 a litre.
It has also devalued its currency and will take a number of other decisions in the interests of remaining a part of the African ”family of nations”.
Peace and security in South Africa’s neighbouring states is a struggle ”worth taking up”, said Manuel.
Manuel was speaking at the invitation of Wits Students’ Business Society on the topic of South Africa in the world.
While Africa’s developmental needs had been a priority for world leaders just three short weeks ago at the Group of Eight summit in Scotland, they have since been eclipsed by the terrorism in the United Kingdom, Manuel pointed out.
”Our responsibility is to bring back the focus and ensure the commitments made are never forgotten.”
Those commitments include debt relief, donor aid and subsidies.
It is fundamentally South Africa’s responsibility to do so because of the extent to which the continent is now ”pregnant with opportunity and hope”; the country’s accounting for 35% of sub-Saharan gross domestic product; and the extent of South African businesses’ investments in the rest of Africa.
The economy of one country cannot grow at the expense and to the exclusion of the rest of the continent. There needs to be a balance, said Manuel.
Rejecting suggestions that South Africa wants to be a ”coloniser” of Africa, Manuel said that if this were so, the country would have gone out of its way to be represented on all pan-African institutions.
”That we have a responsibility that needs to be taken in all humility is different to wanting to be a colonising force.
”If we wanted to, we wouldn’t endeavour to try and find a balance in trade and economic relations like we do,” he said. — Sapa