Please join us at 12pm on Wednesday 11 September, at Simmons & Simmons, 1 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9SS, for a discussion on “The state of South Africa’s political economy” with Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation.President Ramaphosa said at the time of the election result, “Our people have spoken. We have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes.”

After many parties have come together to create a Government of National Unity (GNU), there is renewed hope that South Africa will gain socio-economic traction. To achieve this, the GNU must start to deliver on the dream of a prosperous South Africa that remains deferred for millions.

Interestingly, “gnu” is also the name of the wildebeest, an “ugly” but sturdy migrating African antelope that plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of the African ecosystem. Local folktale holds that the wildebeest was created using parts left over from other animals, “It was given the head of a warthog, the neck & horns of a buffalo, the body of a cow, stripes from a zebra, and the tail of a lion…”

Will South Africa’s new government emulate its namesake, being odd in appearance, but resilient and equipped with sharp senses, capable of fast movement, and able to maintain a healthy population and provide a vital food source to support an abundance of life in an otherwise inhospitable environment?

Christo, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, works outside the limelight to support government to deliver on its mandate and to keep them accountable to their mandate. Another remit of the Foundation is to promote South Africa as an economic investment of note.

Christo will discuss the positives and opportunities of the GNU, and identify possible risks that could arise. He will give insights into the state of the political economy and the nature of the GNU’s role in this economy.

Christo van der Rheede
Christo van der Rheede is the former Executive Director of Agri SA, South Africa’s largest organised agricultural organisation. It consists of 25 commodity organisations (Grain SA, Red Meat Producers, Subtropical Fruit, Table Grapes, Pecan Nuts and others), 9 provincial organisations and 60 corporates (John Deere, Yarra, Corteva and others). During his tenure spanning over eight years, he played an instrumental role in ensuring a conducive policy environment to ensure food security for South Africa.

FW de Klerk Foundation
The vision of the Foundation is to ensure that constitutional democracy becomes a reality for all South Africans.

Building on the legacy of President Nelson Mandela and President FW de Klerk that laid a solid foundation for freedom, peace, progress and prosperity, is the Foundation’s core mission. Supporting the FW de Klerk Foundation in its endeavours to mobilise civil society and help build a culture of active citizenry that has an in-depth understanding of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, will ensure that the miracle of 1994 becomes a lived reality for all. 
 
Three key programmes are being implemented
• Constitutional Advancement Programme
• Constitutional Rights Programme
• Constitutional Legacy Programme