WHERE WILL SOUTH AFRICA BE
IF EUROPE SIDES WITH CHINA
AGAINST THE U.S.A.?

China is investing $503-billion (R7-trillion) into its national railway systems over 5 years. It’s looking outside too, far more ambitiously.

This month, London became the 15th European city with direct trains from China, an ambitious project accomplished in only 4 years. The freight train to London covers 12,000 kilometers in 18 days.

Surely it’s only a matter of time before passengers service is opened, an exhilarating journey across Europe, Russia and Asia – possibly the world’s greatest tourism experience.

The USA’s reaction seems to only be, “Let’s increase our military which already costs more than the rest of the world’s combined.” New President Donald Trump has promised to build 350 naval ships as part of his, “Let’s Make America Great Again” campaign.

I expect Europe to increasingly give the USA the cold shoulder, opting for better relationships with neighbouring Russia and less militant China. Additionally, the constant bullying by the USA, it’s insistent lecturing on undemocratic democracy, must be annoying to nationalists in many places.

The United Kingdom is stuck in between. They will lose some of their power as the USA’s sidekick when Brexit finally exits.

This new era shouldn’t hold onto damaging past relationships for history’s sake. Younger leaders are needed, those in touch with the needs and pains of the majority of their citizens. Populism needs to become realistic.

The future has to be servicing one’s country first. Most countries will want trade, not war. Europe’s refugee crisis emphasises that.

THINK BIG, SOUTH AFRICA!

It feels like a less dangerous new world ordering is coming but the reality is that developing nations such as South Africa will remain a football between ambitious nations appealing to the greed of the lowest common political denominator. There are nations for sale and nations who buy nations for sale.

For us to survive, to not be eaten by the USA, Europe, China and, especially, ourselves, we’ll need to be come more nationalistic whilst simultaneously seeking positive relationships with the world at large. Within that, we’ll need leaders who can act beyond the short-sightedness of race and corruption, leaders who can THINK BIG for the sake of all South Africans.

The only way that’ll happen is if the public becomes it’s own muscle, insisting on better political representatives and harshly accountable public servants. Our survival is at stake.

I expect our next decade to be the most challenging and fascinating since the fall of traditional apartheid.