EDITOR‘S VIEW
RON DERBY: We have to own up to ‘political risk’ — but we’re not alone
The slowdown in the global economy has filtered into the politics of the world’s leading capitals
When Tony Trahar, the last of the Oppenheimer generation of Anglo American gentlemen, highlighted "political risk" as one to watch when investors considered the South African story in the early years of this century, it was just another stab at what is the long-held view that emerging-market countries are naturally disposed to uncertainty in their body politic. And in the years that followed — with the ANC's deterioration as evidenced by the Zondo commission among others — his words have proved prescient. As a young black man believing in this country's future I was affronted by Trahar's words perhaps as much as former president Thabo Mbeki. But the results have shown that political risk and corruption were deserved monikers for our story, along with other emerging-market nations such as Brazil. But it's now a symptom that's no longer just an EM curse. It has spread across all geographies: there's nothing in European or US politics that speaks of certainty and clean governance. Whil...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.