The opposite of Poverty is not Wealth but Rule of Law – Mr Tinashe Mpasiri

This morning, members of the Banking On Africa’s Future (BOAF) network, attended the Sout African Investment Conference business breakfast at the Protea Hotel Wanderers, where South Africa’s investment envoy Mr Jeff Radebe was guest speaker.

As South Africa prepares to host the 4th South African Investment Conference to be held on the 24th of March 2022 in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre, the breakfast briefing was aligned to the objectives of the SAIC which President Cyril Ramaphosa launched in 2018 to spearhead government’s investment drive.

During the question and answer segment, Mr Mpasiri said, “a man once remarked that the opposite of poverty is not wealth but the rule of law. Do you agree that there is a causal link between economic development and the rule of law? If so, if we are to identify five individuals on the African continent who stand out as points of light in advancing the rule of law, are there any?” Mr Mpasiri went on further to elaborate that the rule of law is the fundamental basis upon which economic growth is underpinned and employment is created.

Hon Jeff Radebe agreed fully with Mr Mpasiri’s assertion on the rule of law and emphasized that he is indeed right. Hon Radebe went on further to say, “there is talk in South Africa, about the
constitution, constitutionalism and the rule of law and human rights and in summary, the struggle for freedom and justice that was led by the ANC from 1912, was a struggle for the rule of law and not the rule of man.”

The business breakfast also served as a platform for government actors to engage and brief key stakeholders on the progress made thus far regarding government’s commitment to raise over R1.2 trillion worth of investments over a five-year period and highlighting the importance of the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA), towards enhancing economic development and intra-trade on the continent.

Below is a Facebook link to the question and answer session:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=387288839487636&id=826411951