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‘Business leaders have political rights’

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Renowned South African businessman Bobby Godsell has urged local business leaders to publicly declare their political interests and support for political parties which advance their interests. Godsell yesterday told delegates attending the Alpha Media Holdings talk show, AMH Conversations, in Harare, that doing so would nurture the country’s democracy. The renowned businessman is a former […]

Renowned South African businessman Bobby Godsell has urged local business leaders to publicly declare their political interests and support for political parties which advance their interests.

Godsell yesterday told delegates attending the Alpha Media Holdings talk show, AMH Conversations, in Harare, that doing so would nurture the country’s democracy.

The renowned businessman is a former chief executive and director of Anglo Gold Ashanti Limited and is the current chairperson of Business Leadership South Africa.

AMH Conversations is an initiative meant to promote thought-leadership by engaging international experts to lead discussions on social, political and economic issues. The series is held in partnership with Zimbabwe’s largest mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.

“Businesses are corporate citizens. They have rights and responsibilities. They have their views about constitution-making, elections and economic policy. You (business leaders) should advance your views in the public marketplace not in the quiet corridors of power,” he said.

“People should know what your interests are. I think the African business community is not active in this area. Businesses should ask two questions: Are we in favour of democracy? Do we want democracy?”

“Do we believe in multi-parties and how prepared are we to put our money where our mouth is?…Politicians prefer secret funding but they are wrong,” he said.

Godsell added that economic growth prospects in Africa were bright due to emerging demographic trends but said development was being hamstrung by issues relating to patriotism and courage.

“In Africa we are moving towards a moderate and yet positive population growth. The profile is getting much better. We don’t have an ageing problem,” he said.

Turning to the issue of regional integration, he said:

“It is easy (for South Africa) to export to Germany than Zimbabwe. Sadc is not an economic body and I think Comesa has done a little better than Sadc.

“American business schools cultivated a cult of CEOs, heroic Napoleon on a horse . . . The CEO knows everything, makes all the powerful decisions, it’s a warrior image. I was a CEO for 15 years and I didn’t feel like that and I never found my horse,” he said.

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