I am known as a Social Activist who does not understand business and as a result can say anything but can stick to be an African acting for the ordinary citizens by considering the way they think and what their expectations would be from the NBF.

The NBF should be an established forum under which initiatives can be developed to compliment government’s ideals for the future of Africa.

A major change currently sweeping Africa is the establishment of the African Union (AU). The AU relies on the traditions of the continent which is very diverse in nature but shares a common vision. It furthermore, brings in a deep element of bringing in ordinary citizens to shape policy and drive development as well as to give a face and voice to the ordinary people of this continent. Previously no business organisation or citizens were represented at the AU and their opinion could have been reflected either wrongly or rightly by others speaking on their behalf and as such had little say with the representatives of the AU. The major change emerging at present is that government, business, academics, NGOs and citizens are all part of the AU and each has a voice and an opportunity to interact with the AU.

There is now an official body representing civil society for Africa called ECOSOC, who are better shaped and are more representative with the necessary legitimacy to interact and lobby with Ambassadors and Ministers who in turn interact with the Heads of State. Because the world has identified that liberation has been achieved and Africa is free, to concentrate on socio-economic development with equity to overcome poverty, groups such as women and children, need to be included and their wealth base increased. Human rights issues are now discussed at the AU which sets a demarcation and also the participants are democratically elected as both representatives as well as elected Heads of State. The new AU with the support of the business community as well as the NBF’s role in this process, takes a seat shoulder to shoulder with those that are politically connected.

Business must be organized and connecting with one another to take responsibility and make an impact. NEPAD was and is perceived as an institution whereby you could get money, it was also understood that an Agenda needed to be set, but global business never understood the process. The international community put huge expectations on NEPAD to solve all the continent’s problems which would then provide concrete results.

The initial enthusiasm around NEPAD has been questioned by the original participants due to a lack of understanding of what it would actually take in order for NEPAD to reach its objectives. Therefore perceptions of NEPAD not delivering have arisen as well as the issue of questioning NEPAD’s ability to deliver.

Part of the perception was that advantage was given to the powerful few and not to the weak. NEPAD’s processes needed time to mature and allow business to organize itself around assisting to acheive the goals and objectives NEPAD

The NBF needs to contribute as follows:

1. We did well with the opening phase of trust and communication with the rest of the world as well as the developing world, informing them about NEPAD and as such the world supports this initiative.
2. We need to attract membership – the NBF needs to be a mirror of the diversity of the continent and include membership for SMMEs. In other words become a continental membership focused initiative.
3. The NBF needs to influence business on issues such as ethics, equity, women ratios, etc
4. Corporate governance needs to be a primary focus area.
5. Business and African inspiration as the engine of integration, business as the driving force behind the Heads of State. This can be done through:
   • Shared knowledge
   • Trade information / trade on the continent
6. The credibility of integration is critical to cross-border trade.
7. By virtue of the fact that the NBF is situated in the most economically successful country on the continent, the NBF has a responsibility to lead and drive further economic growth, trade and investment, through the establishment of an organized business group for the whole continent, or liaise with other established business groups on the continent to effect integration.

It is important to make the Regional Economic Communities work. Business can move quicker than governments and make things happen as a result of this ability to drive processes.

Business needs to be bold and it can no longer be business as usual, it must challenge the way we do business and the NBF needs to be focused on PROJECT DELIVERY.