Leadership In A Multipolar New World Order
In the podcast episode featuring Lord Peter Hain (https://www.peterhain.uk/p/about), the discussion revolves around the complexities of leadership in a multipolar world, particularly in the context of South Africa's historical and contemporary challenges. Hain's insights draw from his experiences as the child of anti-apartheid activists and his subsequent political career, emphasising the importance of integrity, justice, and the fight against corruption. Historical Context and Personal Experience Hain recounts his upbringing in Pretoria during the apartheid era, where his parents were actively involved in anti-apartheid activism. This background instilled in him a deep appreciation for justice and human rights, which has shaped his political career. He highlights the absurdities and brutalities of apartheid, illustrating how these experiences have influenced his commitment to fighting for justice, both in South Africa and globally. His activism as a teenager, particularly in organising protests against all-white South African sports tours (https://www.aamarchives.org/campaigns/sport.html), positioned him as a significant figure in the international sports boycott against apartheid. This early engagement in activism laid the groundwork for his later political endeavours, where he continued to advocate for justice and accountability. Combating Corruption A significant theme in Hain's narrative is the ongoing struggle against corruption, particularly in South Africa under former President Jacob Zuma (https://www.presidency.gov.za/former-president-jacob-zuma). He discusses how he was called upon by members of the African National Congress (ANC) (https://sahistory.org.za/article/african-national-congress-anc) to expose the corruption that had infiltrated the party and the government. Using parliamentary privilege, he was able to reveal the extensive money laundering and corruption linked to Zuma and the Gupta family (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-22513410), which had devastating effects on the country. Hain emphasises that corruption is not an isolated issue but a global problem that requires international cooperation to address. He points out that the financial systems in countries like the UK and the US are complicit in facilitating corruption through lax regulations and the existence of offshore tax havens. This complicity underscores the need for a concerted effort to combat corruption on a global scale, as it undermines the integrity of nations and their leadership. The Role of South Africa in the Global Order In the context of a multipolar world, Hain reflects on South Africa's position and its moral capital. He argues that while South Africa once stood as a global hero under Nelson Mandela (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1993/mandela/biographical/), it has since fallen to a "near global zero" due to corruption and mismanagement. The country's current leadership faces the challenge of restoring its reputation and aligning itself with the values of justice and human rights that Mandela championed. Hain critiques South Africa's foreign policy, particularly its non-alignment stance, which he believes has led to a compromise of its integrity.
