If we are in Cold War II, we must not repeat mistakes of years past

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 11 Aug   [Ron Derby] Earlier this week, my colleague and I had the chance to talk to senior government ministers and leading figures in business and labour about the fraught geopolitical winds and the sentiment — especially in Washington — about South Africa’s unclear non-aligned stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine. It was fascinating and I’d urge more, much more of this open dialogue that isn’t about newspaper headlines or soundbites. I’d urge that they just continue talking and not only in their own echo chambers. As everyone shared their views and some frustrations over the handling of the country’s relationship with modern-day Russia and its Tsarist leader, Vladimir Putin, it became all the more clearer that our non-aligned stance is the best course — not only for South Africa but the continent. After World War II and the settling of the Iron Curtain in Europe, newly independent African states had to choose between an Eastern or Western led economic model. If you look at the continent’s development since the mid-1950s, whatever the choice, they weren’t beneficial to many nations — except maybe to apartheid South Africa (which lasted longer than it should have because of its Western allegiance.) If we are entering another version of the Cold War, one where the lead antagonists are the United States and China, then I can’t see the benefits to South Africa and Africa siding with any of the states. What is in our best interests is intensifying our internal trade links; it’s Africa’s better future. History has a lesson for us to heed: let’s not repeat our bad choices. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [July 27 2021 - Rows of CATA taxis parked at the Langa taxi rank on Tuesday afternoon after ongoing violence between warring taxi associations over lucrative commuter routes has resulted in at least twenty six people being killed. Cape Town. Photo by David]( [Taxi politics: Santaco, national and local government talks hit deadlock]( The national taxi council is seeking legal advice to apply for an urgent interdict for the release of all its impounded vehicles [// Read more]( [Eskom_GettyImages-1158766660]( [Manufacturers cry foul over Eskom’s lack of support in awarding tenders]( Concerns about local manufacturers and engineers being left out of the projects have increased [// Read more]( [GettyImages-457939278]( [State witness says Bongani Ntanzi scuffled with Senzo Meyiwa before the footballer was shot]( The defence advocate questioned Tumelo Madlala’s description of accused number two, Ntanzi [// Read more]( Recommended Reads Premium [El Niño, the next inflation frontline]( South Africa, and the world, seem to be emerging out of an inflation-induced economic malaise. But as the world heats up, so will prices [// Read more]( [947 Joburg Day returns to Crocodile Creek Polo]( Mega Band to pay tribute to late rapper, AKA, at the Galaxy 947 Joburg Day on 2 September [// Read more]( [Duncan Pieterse takes treasury top job]( The new director general played a key role in developing the Eskom Debt Relief Bill [// Read more]( [Eskom gets go ahead to sell its distribution assets]( This is in line with its turnaround plan which was approved by the department of public enterprises in 2019. [// Read more]( [Kafka and the president’s men in Warsaw]( President Cyril Ramaphosa’s peace mission to Ukraine and Russia shows what happens when politics sinks to the absurd [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Taxi strike 5 (1)] Disruption: Golden Arrow buses stop alongside the N2 at the entrance to Nyanga to take people to the city and other areas amid the ongoing taxi strike that has left workers and schoolchildren stranded. Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa