World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz bumped and wriggled to an African beat on Thursday, showing a lighter public side as he danced with South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka in a campaign against malaria.
Normally associated with more serious pursuits, the former number two at the Pentagon joined Chaka Chaka in the marbled atrium of the bank as their audience of African ambassadors, private sector officials, and World Bank and US congressional staff cheered and clapped.
They were later joined on stage by South Africa’s Ambassador to Washington Barbara Masekela, sister of famed jazz musician Hugh Masekela, and Jack Valenti, an influential lobbyist and anti-malaria activist.
Chaka Chaka jokingly called Wolfowitz ”Mr Money” as she appealed for increased funding to fight malaria, Africa’s biggest killer.
Later, Wolfowitz said the bank would contribute an additional $400-million by 2008 to the global fight against malaria, but noted, ”That is just a fraction of what is needed.”
He also called for greater coordination, accountability and transparency to strengthen the fight against malaria.
”Money remains the obstacle to doing more,” Wolfowitz said, adding that there was no simple solution to eradicating the disease transmitted by mosquitoes that kills an estimated one million people a year.
”I don’t think anyone yet knows the magic answer and the unfortunate fact is that we have been at this partnership some six years now, and to be honest, the results are so far disappointing,” Wolfowitz said.
”We have to try different things to see what works and when we find something that works, we need to try and replicate it, and if we find something that doesn’t work, we should fix it.” – Reuters