well gas is the truly good or great honor for me to be had Ted I think not
honor for me to be had Ted I think not
honor for me to be had Ted I think not just because it’s Ted but because in
just because it’s Ted but because in
just because it’s Ted but because in pretoria and as was mentioned I’m from
pretoria and as was mentioned I’m from
pretoria and as was mentioned I’m from Pretoria I grew up in having who are not
Pretoria I grew up in having who are not
Pretoria I grew up in having who are not too far from here and I spent my life
too far from here and I spent my life
too far from here and I spent my life growing up to this lovely City in the
growing up to this lovely City in the
growing up to this lovely City in the early 80s mid 80s to 90s but
early 80s mid 80s to 90s but
early 80s mid 80s to 90s but interestingly my story doesn’t actually
interestingly my story doesn’t actually
interestingly my story doesn’t actually start here in Pretoria i was born in my
start here in Pretoria i was born in my
start here in Pretoria i was born in my freaking the north west province and my
freaking the north west province and my
freaking the north west province and my family and i spent the first couple of
family and i spent the first couple of
family and i spent the first couple of years of my life living in my bar too
years of my life living in my bar too
years of my life living in my bar too and just for you guys for some of the
and just for you guys for some of the
and just for you guys for some of the girls who might not necessarily know my
girls who might not necessarily know my
girls who might not necessarily know my mother and my freaking on the north west
mother and my freaking on the north west
mother and my freaking on the north west province quite close to the border with
province quite close to the border with
province quite close to the border with my freaking so quite close to the border
my freaking so quite close to the border
my freaking so quite close to the border with para and so forth and growing up I
with para and so forth and growing up I
with para and so forth and growing up I always had family scattered all across
always had family scattered all across
always had family scattered all across the north west province scattered all
the north west province scattered all
the north west province scattered all across de puta so on and so forth but
across de puta so on and so forth but
across de puta so on and so forth but interestingly i also had family coming
interestingly i also had family coming
interestingly i also had family coming from butanna and it will come over for
from butanna and it will come over for
from butanna and it will come over for family gatherings they’ll come over for
family gatherings they’ll come over for
family gatherings they’ll come over for to visit us even here in Pretoria while
to visit us even here in Pretoria while
to visit us even here in Pretoria while we’re living here and the story between
we’re living here and the story between
we’re living here and the story between us was exactly the same the guy spoke
us was exactly the same the guy spoke
us was exactly the same the guy spoke the exact same language we spoke we
the exact same language we spoke we
the exact same language we spoke we shared the same culture even the food
shared the same culture even the food
shared the same culture even the food was to say the childhood stories between
was to say the childhood stories between
was to say the childhood stories between them and my folks was exactly the same
them and my folks was exactly the same
them and my folks was exactly the same the only difference between us was that
the only difference between us was that
the only difference between us was that they lived on the other on the other
they lived on the other on the other
they lived on the other on the other side of the border and vagina and so
side of the border and vagina and so
side of the border and vagina and so I’ve always been intrigued you know grew
I’ve always been intrigued you know grew
I’ve always been intrigued you know grew I grew up on this level of these borders
I grew up on this level of these borders
I grew up on this level of these borders it’s arbitrary lines between us I mean
it’s arbitrary lines between us I mean
it’s arbitrary lines between us I mean why do they exist because I have family
why do they exist because I have family
why do they exist because I have family on one side that lives on this are
on one side that lives on this are
on one side that lives on this are that’s exactly like the ones on this
that’s exactly like the ones on this
that’s exactly like the ones on this side and I think if you grow up and you
side and I think if you grow up and you
side and I think if you grow up and you ask people who live on the border with
ask people who live on the border with
ask people who live on the border with lesotho with Swaziland and so forth
lesotho with Swaziland and so forth
lesotho with Swaziland and so forth you’re going to find the stories are
you’re going to find the stories are
you’re going to find the stories are exactly the same it’s the same people
exactly the same it’s the same people
exactly the same it’s the same people that have just been divided by an
that have just been divided by an
that have just been divided by an arbitrary line and so when I got my
arbitrary line and so when I got my
arbitrary line and so when I got my first passport which I’ve brought here
first passport which I’ve brought here
first passport which I’ve brought here you guys will never probably see this
you guys will never probably see this
you guys will never probably see this passport again when I got my first South
passport again when I got my first South
passport again when I got my first South African passport I couldn’t wait to go
African passport I couldn’t wait to go
African passport I couldn’t wait to go and cross and see these borders and I
and cross and see these borders and I
and cross and see these borders and I recall once we were visiting family out
recall once we were visiting family out
recall once we were visiting family out in mafikeng and I got one of my uncle’s
in mafikeng and I got one of my uncle’s
in mafikeng and I got one of my uncle’s to go and drop me off at the border and
to go and drop me off at the border and
to go and drop me off at the border and I he tried some 130 kilometres into
I he tried some 130 kilometres into
I he tried some 130 kilometres into harvoni gaps as we call it and I
harvoni gaps as we call it and I
harvoni gaps as we call it and I remember I just spent the day just
remember I just spent the day just
remember I just spent the day just hitchhiking I got there and I said there
hitchhiking I got there and I said there
hitchhiking I got there and I said there I walked around and spoke to people and
I walked around and spoke to people and
I walked around and spoke to people and I he checked myself back to the border
I he checked myself back to the border
I he checked myself back to the border and cross back into South Africa
and cross back into South Africa
and cross back into South Africa and was fascinating for me and what was
and was fascinating for me and what was
and was fascinating for me and what was incredibly fascinating for me while
incredibly fascinating for me while
incredibly fascinating for me while spending time listening to a truck
spending time listening to a truck
spending time listening to a truck driver who had given me a lift telling
driver who had given me a lift telling
driver who had given me a lift telling me about how he moves goods between
me about how he moves goods between
me about how he moves goods between their borders how he struggles to get
their borders how he struggles to get
their borders how he struggles to get goods across different borders from
goods across different borders from
goods across different borders from Botswana to Zimbabwe to Zambia and so
Botswana to Zimbabwe to Zambia and so
Botswana to Zimbabwe to Zambia and so forth and it really opened up my mind to
forth and it really opened up my mind to
forth and it really opened up my mind to a lot around movement of people and
a lot around movement of people and
a lot around movement of people and movement of things and services in
movement of things and services in
movement of things and services in Africa but it wasn’t until I was a
Africa but it wasn’t until I was a
Africa but it wasn’t until I was a student advanced University and I was a
student advanced University and I was a
student advanced University and I was a final students adverse to diversity
final students adverse to diversity
final students adverse to diversity sushi was a beloved anomaly for me to be
sushi was a beloved anomaly for me to be
sushi was a beloved anomaly for me to be selected to join a group of volunteers
selected to join a group of volunteers
selected to join a group of volunteers to go across to Mozambique following the
to go across to Mozambique following the
to go across to Mozambique following the floods of two thousand and we went
floods of two thousand and we went
floods of two thousand and we went across to Mozambique and to do some
across to Mozambique and to do some
across to Mozambique and to do some relief work helping out the community in
relief work helping out the community in
relief work helping out the community in the Gaza province I spent some time in a
the Gaza province I spent some time in a
the Gaza province I spent some time in a village co hoc way in the Gaza province
village co hoc way in the Gaza province
village co hoc way in the Gaza province in Mozambique during some charity work
in Mozambique during some charity work
in Mozambique during some charity work for a couple of weeks over winter break
for a couple of weeks over winter break
for a couple of weeks over winter break as vet student and I lent a lot in
as vet student and I lent a lot in
as vet student and I lent a lot in addition to just being in a community
addition to just being in a community
addition to just being in a community understanding and helping people rebuild
understanding and helping people rebuild
understanding and helping people rebuild I mean I did a lot of physical where it
I mean I did a lot of physical where it
I mean I did a lot of physical where it could be surprised looking at me today
could be surprised looking at me today
could be surprised looking at me today but I did not a physical work at the
but I did not a physical work at the
but I did not a physical work at the time clearing grounds and clearing
time clearing grounds and clearing
time clearing grounds and clearing relocating helping families relocate to
relocating helping families relocate to
relocating helping families relocate to other parts of the of the village shut
other parts of the of the village shut
other parts of the of the village shut away more hihihi lying as opposed to the
away more hihihi lying as opposed to the
away more hihihi lying as opposed to the floodplains that we’re living on but it
floodplains that we’re living on but it
floodplains that we’re living on but it really hit me when we did some research
really hit me when we did some research
really hit me when we did some research around women and child headed households
around women and child headed households
around women and child headed households in Mozambique that I’ve got to
in Mozambique that I’ve got to
in Mozambique that I’ve got to understand the effects of migrant labor
understand the effects of migrant labor
understand the effects of migrant labor and the effects of movement of people
and the effects of movement of people
and the effects of movement of people and our theme today’s movements I wanted
and our theme today’s movements I wanted
and our theme today’s movements I wanted to chat about movement of people and
to chat about movement of people and
to chat about movement of people and movement of ideas and so it wasn’t until
movement of ideas and so it wasn’t until
movement of ideas and so it wasn’t until then that we got to interview women in
then that we got to interview women in
then that we got to interview women in the village of hawk way Mozambique that
the village of hawk way Mozambique that
the village of hawk way Mozambique that I’ve got to understand what actually
I’ve got to understand what actually
I’ve got to understand what actually influenced the movement of people across
influenced the movement of people across
influenced the movement of people across Africa and most of the women told me
Africa and most of the women told me
Africa and most of the women told me which was something will realize you
which was something will realize you
which was something will realize you know almost every household had no man
know almost every household had no man
know almost every household had no man in it the husband the brother the Sun
in it the husband the brother the Sun
in it the husband the brother the Sun the uncle were all born and every single
the uncle were all born and every single
the uncle were all born and every single community told is non 0 they’ve gone to
community told is non 0 they’ve gone to
community told is non 0 they’ve gone to a journey as they would call it adjourn
a journey as they would call it adjourn
a journey as they would call it adjourn meaning they’ve gone to South Africa and
meaning they’ve gone to South Africa and
meaning they’ve gone to South Africa and they would tell us normal husband is
they would tell us normal husband is
they would tell us normal husband is going to work in the mines in South
going to work in the mines in South
going to work in the mines in South Africa I haven’t seen him in five years
Africa I haven’t seen him in five years
Africa I haven’t seen him in five years my son left he works in the security
my son left he works in the security
my son left he works in the security sector in the construction sector I
sector in the construction sector I
sector in the construction sector I haven’t seen him in all these years and
haven’t seen him in all these years and
haven’t seen him in all these years and he left that deep feeling in me that
he left that deep feeling in me that
he left that deep feeling in me that there was something we need to
there was something we need to
there was something we need to understand
understand
understand borders in the movement of people on the
borders in the movement of people on the
borders in the movement of people on the African continent and so when I finished
African continent and so when I finished
African continent and so when I finished University of the finance graduate and I
University of the finance graduate and I
University of the finance graduate and I became an investment professional I’ve
became an investment professional I’ve
became an investment professional I’ve worked for some of the the top
worked for some of the the top
worked for some of the the top investment banks in South Africa I
investment banks in South Africa I
investment banks in South Africa I started out with the notion in my head
started out with the notion in my head
started out with the notion in my head that I had to find a way to link what I
that I had to find a way to link what I
that I had to find a way to link what I was doing with the finance side with
was doing with the finance side with
was doing with the finance side with this passion i had on borders and africa
this passion i had on borders and africa
this passion i had on borders and africa and the movement of people and people in
and the movement of people and people in
and the movement of people and people in africa so i had to find a way and I
africa so i had to find a way and I
africa so i had to find a way and I guess I was lucky i lived in cape town
guess I was lucky i lived in cape town
guess I was lucky i lived in cape town at a time and I happened to be lucky to
at a time and I happened to be lucky to
at a time and I happened to be lucky to be in the investment field it was a tie
be in the investment field it was a tie
be in the investment field it was a tie it was during the time in the investment
it was during the time in the investment
it was during the time in the investment so in the early 2000s when the
so in the early 2000s when the
so in the early 2000s when the investment world was creating this
investment world was creating this
investment world was creating this investment products about who vesting in
investment products about who vesting in
investment products about who vesting in Africa The Economist was coming out
Africa The Economist was coming out
Africa The Economist was coming out saying Africa rising the narrative about
saying Africa rising the narrative about
saying Africa rising the narrative about African from the 90s to the 2000s was
African from the 90s to the 2000s was
African from the 90s to the 2000s was changing so Africa funds were launching
changing so Africa funds were launching
changing so Africa funds were launching and so forth and of course I was one of
and so forth and of course I was one of
and so forth and of course I was one of the first guys to put my hand up and say
the first guys to put my hand up and say
the first guys to put my hand up and say I want to run money in Africa I want to
I want to run money in Africa I want to
I want to run money in Africa I want to invest money in Africa because that’s my
invest money in Africa because that’s my
invest money in Africa because that’s my contribution to the African continent
contribution to the African continent
contribution to the African continent the people of Africa had met before and
the people of Africa had met before and
the people of Africa had met before and so I’ve spent the last 10 years or so of
so I’ve spent the last 10 years or so of
so I’ve spent the last 10 years or so of my life directly investing money in
my life directly investing money in
my life directly investing money in Africa I’ve invested a couple of million
Africa I’ve invested a couple of million
Africa I’ve invested a couple of million dollars across various economies in
dollars across various economies in
dollars across various economies in Africa I’ve invested a couple million
Africa I’ve invested a couple million
Africa I’ve invested a couple million dollars in companies in Africa we’ve
dollars in companies in Africa we’ve
dollars in companies in Africa we’ve supported and our cement companies in
supported and our cement companies in
supported and our cement companies in Africa we’ve enlisted power companies in
Africa we’ve enlisted power companies in
Africa we’ve enlisted power companies in Uganda such as a memory and so forth but
Uganda such as a memory and so forth but
Uganda such as a memory and so forth but throughout all that time you know
throughout all that time you know
throughout all that time you know traveling across the continent and I’ve
traveling across the continent and I’ve
traveling across the continent and I’ve gone of course I’ve gone to Egypt I’ve
gone of course I’ve gone to Egypt I’ve
gone of course I’ve gone to Egypt I’ve gone to maracas well traveled all across
gone to maracas well traveled all across
gone to maracas well traveled all across African continent and the one thing
African continent and the one thing
African continent and the one thing though I’ve done over the years more
though I’ve done over the years more
though I’ve done over the years more than anything else is accumulate visas
than anything else is accumulate visas
than anything else is accumulate visas and passports cards and I brought them
and passports cards and I brought them
and passports cards and I brought them here again to show you guys as evidence
here again to show you guys as evidence
here again to show you guys as evidence so I’ve got all these passports are
so I’ve got all these passports are
so I’ve got all these passports are accumulated over the last decades and
accumulated over the last decades and
accumulated over the last decades and this has become the biggest hurdle for
this has become the biggest hurdle for
this has become the biggest hurdle for me in the biggest headache for me than
me in the biggest headache for me than
me in the biggest headache for me than you would believe I invest money in
you would believe I invest money in
you would believe I invest money in Africa we direct money in Africa but the
Africa we direct money in Africa but the
Africa we direct money in Africa but the one thing I’ve realized though about
one thing I’ve realized though about
one thing I’ve realized though about Africa is that the movement of Africans
Africa is that the movement of Africans
Africa is that the movement of Africans in Africa is more restricted than the
in Africa is more restricted than the
in Africa is more restricted than the movement of anybody else in Africa for
movement of anybody else in Africa for
movement of anybody else in Africa for Africans to move around Africa it
Africans to move around Africa it
Africans to move around Africa it actually cost you this if some of these
actually cost you this if some of these
actually cost you this if some of these passports could talk to you guys that
passports could talk to you guys that
passports could talk to you guys that will tell you incredible stories amazing
will tell you incredible stories amazing
will tell you incredible stories amazing stories I’ve got a passport here from
stories I’ve got a passport here from
stories I’ve got a passport here from Nigeria I’ve got an Ebola let on my
Nigeria I’ve got an Ebola let on my
Nigeria I’ve got an Ebola let on my passport I’ve got a passport here in
passport I’ve got a passport here in
passport I’ve got a passport here in Nigeria when I first
Nigeria when I first
Nigeria when I first my 3 year visa Nigeria and I’ve got
my 3 year visa Nigeria and I’ve got
my 3 year visa Nigeria and I’ve got stopped by an official in Nigeria who
stopped by an official in Nigeria who
stopped by an official in Nigeria who look at my passport waiting for like two
look at my passport waiting for like two
look at my passport waiting for like two minutes page through every single page
minutes page through every single page
minutes page through every single page looked at me pick me up from my shoes on
looked at me pick me up from my shoes on
looked at me pick me up from my shoes on the way to the top and said ah 3i visa
the way to the top and said ah 3i visa
the way to the top and said ah 3i visa and I say sighs I no problem ah I’ve
and I say sighs I no problem ah I’ve
and I say sighs I no problem ah I’ve seen longer go go go go go because you
seen longer go go go go go because you
seen longer go go go go go because you know what I’ll tell you why I mentioned
know what I’ll tell you why I mentioned
know what I’ll tell you why I mentioned this story because South Africans
this story because South Africans
this story because South Africans typically don’t get 30 visas to Nigeria
typically don’t get 30 visas to Nigeria
typically don’t get 30 visas to Nigeria we get three months visas and if you
we get three months visas and if you
we get three months visas and if you travel to nigeria doing business you’re
travel to nigeria doing business you’re
travel to nigeria doing business you’re going to have to get for visas we fill
going to have to get for visas we fill
going to have to get for visas we fill up your entire page in your passport for
up your entire page in your passport for
up your entire page in your passport for the whole yeah so this is important for
the whole yeah so this is important for
the whole yeah so this is important for me to mention so if you look essentially
me to mention so if you look essentially
me to mention so if you look essentially at the maps of Africa if you’re a South
at the maps of Africa if you’re a South
at the maps of Africa if you’re a South Africans dude like the South African
Africans dude like the South African
Africans dude like the South African citizen and you travel with the South
citizen and you travel with the South
citizen and you travel with the South African passport these are essentially
African passport these are essentially
African passport these are essentially the countries you can travel to in
the countries you can travel to in
the countries you can travel to in Africa without needing a visa so you can
Africa without needing a visa so you can
Africa without needing a visa so you can pretty much only travel into southern
pretty much only travel into southern
pretty much only travel into southern Africa and East Africa without needing a
Africa and East Africa without needing a
Africa and East Africa without needing a visa this is important for me as a
visa this is important for me as a
visa this is important for me as a business person as an investor in Africa
business person as an investor in Africa
business person as an investor in Africa because if I get a phone call right now
because if I get a phone call right now
because if I get a phone call right now that I need to be using Bobby tomorrow
that I need to be using Bobby tomorrow
that I need to be using Bobby tomorrow for a meeting with a minister or with
for a meeting with a minister or with
for a meeting with a minister or with whoever I need to get there right now
whoever I need to get there right now
whoever I need to get there right now and if i do need if he’s like you know
and if i do need if he’s like you know
and if i do need if he’s like you know it’s going to take me two three weeks to
it’s going to take me two three weeks to
it’s going to take me two three weeks to at least get that visa to get there and
at least get that visa to get there and
at least get that visa to get there and that hand person that increases the cost
that hand person that increases the cost
that hand person that increases the cost of us doing business in on the African
of us doing business in on the African
of us doing business in on the African continent so this is the map for for us
continent so this is the map for for us
continent so this is the map for for us in South Africa if you’re an edger in
in South Africa if you’re an edger in
in South Africa if you’re an edger in cities and you pretty much can travel
cities and you pretty much can travel
cities and you pretty much can travel anywhere else outside West Africa
anywhere else outside West Africa
anywhere else outside West Africa without needing a visa the rest of the
without needing a visa the rest of the
without needing a visa the rest of the places you can travel to where you can
places you can travel to where you can
places you can travel to where you can get a visa on arrival which is primarily
get a visa on arrival which is primarily
get a visa on arrival which is primarily in East Africa if you’re at Kenyon
in East Africa if you’re at Kenyon
in East Africa if you’re at Kenyon cities and you can pretty much get
cities and you can pretty much get
cities and you can pretty much get around much of West Africa much of
around much of West Africa much of
around much of West Africa much of Central Africa but not so much in east
Central Africa but not so much in east
Central Africa but not so much in east africa i mean a kenyan series emitter a
africa i mean a kenyan series emitter a
africa i mean a kenyan series emitter a visa you coming to South Africa as an
visa you coming to South Africa as an
visa you coming to South Africa as an example none of us can get into North
example none of us can get into North
example none of us can get into North Africa by the way as you’ve noticed
Africa by the way as you’ve noticed
Africa by the way as you’ve noticed without needing a visa here’s the
without needing a visa here’s the
without needing a visa here’s the extreme that I wanted to show you if you
extreme that I wanted to show you if you
extreme that I wanted to show you if you are so Molly’s citizen now there’s so
are so Molly’s citizen now there’s so
are so Molly’s citizen now there’s so many passport in Africa is probably the
many passport in Africa is probably the
many passport in Africa is probably the weakest passport in Africa for you to
weakest passport in Africa for you to
weakest passport in Africa for you to get movement as a person is a Somali
get movement as a person is a Somali
get movement as a person is a Somali citizen so if you have Somali citizen
citizen so if you have Somali citizen
citizen so if you have Somali citizen which is the part in red you can pretty
which is the part in red you can pretty
which is the part in red you can pretty much only get access these are on
much only get access these are on
much only get access these are on arrival there is no country in Africa if
arrival there is no country in Africa if
arrival there is no country in Africa if you Somali citizen that will allow you
you Somali citizen that will allow you
you Somali citizen that will allow you into that country without a visa now I
into that country without a visa now I
into that country without a visa now I mention these things this is important
mention these things this is important
mention these things this is important because these things have a bearing on
because these things have a bearing on
because these things have a bearing on how we do things enough
how we do things enough
how we do things enough and how we do business in Africa a
and how we do business in Africa a
and how we do business in Africa a friend of mine recently organized a
friend of mine recently organized a
friend of mine recently organized a conference through their company in vic
conference through their company in vic
conference through their company in vic falls and the invited business people
falls and the invited business people
falls and the invited business people cooperate people from all over the
cooperate people from all over the
cooperate people from all over the African continent and the Nigerians
African continent and the Nigerians
African continent and the Nigerians coming to South Africa or the Nigerians
coming to South Africa or the Nigerians
coming to South Africa or the Nigerians founded actually as you say then I
founded actually as you say then I
founded actually as you say then I transferred it easier to fly through
transferred it easier to fly through
transferred it easier to fly through South Africa on that way to vic falls in
South Africa on that way to vic falls in
South Africa on that way to vic falls in zimbabwe as you guys know now the South
zimbabwe as you guys know now the South
zimbabwe as you guys know now the South African government unfortunately
African government unfortunately
African government unfortunately declined the transit visas
declined the transit visas
declined the transit visas businesspeople corporate people who went
businesspeople corporate people who went
businesspeople corporate people who went necessarily here to sell drugs or
necessarily here to sell drugs or
necessarily here to sell drugs or whatever the perception could be they
whatever the perception could be they
whatever the perception could be they got rejected and you know how they had
got rejected and you know how they had
got rejected and you know how they had to get that for the conference was also
to get that for the conference was also
to get that for the conference was also important they had to fly from Nigeria
important they had to fly from Nigeria
important they had to fly from Nigeria to Kenya from Kenya to Zambia from
to Kenya from Kenya to Zambia from
to Kenya from Kenya to Zambia from Zambia take a local flight from lusaka
Zambia take a local flight from lusaka
Zambia take a local flight from lusaka do Livingston and then drive across from
do Livingston and then drive across from
do Livingston and then drive across from Livingston across the border into
Livingston across the border into
Livingston across the border into Zimbabwe into vic falls can we imagine
Zimbabwe into vic falls can we imagine
Zimbabwe into vic falls can we imagine the cost of doing business in Africa if
the cost of doing business in Africa if
the cost of doing business in Africa if I lived in Europe I could be sitting
I lived in Europe I could be sitting
I lived in Europe I could be sitting having a coffee in Paris and a friend of
having a coffee in Paris and a friend of
having a coffee in Paris and a friend of mine tells me come see me in Amsterdam
mine tells me come see me in Amsterdam
mine tells me come see me in Amsterdam I’ll get on the Sally’s on the train
I’ll get on the Sally’s on the train
I’ll get on the Sally’s on the train tomorrow and I’ll be in Amsterdam within
tomorrow and I’ll be in Amsterdam within
tomorrow and I’ll be in Amsterdam within a couple of hours no these are no
a couple of hours no these are no
a couple of hours no these are no problems now let me tell you why this
problems now let me tell you why this
problems now let me tell you why this also matters in terms of trade and
also matters in terms of trade and
also matters in terms of trade and investment in Africa our trade between
investment in Africa our trade between
investment in Africa our trade between countries is at the lowest anyway as
countries is at the lowest anyway as
countries is at the lowest anyway as anywhere else in the world so if you
anywhere else in the world so if you
anywhere else in the world so if you look at Europe which I’ve just mentioned
look at Europe which I’ve just mentioned
look at Europe which I’ve just mentioned they trade between European countries as
they trade between European countries as
they trade between European countries as a percentage of what they do as overall
a percentage of what they do as overall
a percentage of what they do as overall trade sits at about seventy percent
trade sits at about seventy percent
trade sits at about seventy percent trade in Asia between Asian nationals
trade in Asia between Asian nationals
trade in Asia between Asian nationals it’s about fifty percent guess what it
it’s about fifty percent guess what it
it’s about fifty percent guess what it is in Africa twelve percent trade
is in Africa twelve percent trade
is in Africa twelve percent trade between African nations only sits at
between African nations only sits at
between African nations only sits at twelve percent the rest what do we do we
twelve percent the rest what do we do we
twelve percent the rest what do we do we get materials and we ship them out of
get materials and we ship them out of
get materials and we ship them out of the continent and then we imported back
the continent and then we imported back
the continent and then we imported back so we are very good at producing what we
so we are very good at producing what we
so we are very good at producing what we don’t consume and consuming what we
don’t consume and consuming what we
don’t consume and consuming what we don’t produce in Africa and this is a
don’t produce in Africa and this is a
don’t produce in Africa and this is a big problem and I’ll tell you that
big problem and I’ll tell you that
big problem and I’ll tell you that concept the issue of visas and the issue
concept the issue of visas and the issue
concept the issue of visas and the issue of barriers between us is fundamental to
of barriers between us is fundamental to
of barriers between us is fundamental to why this is the case in our own on the
why this is the case in our own on the
why this is the case in our own on the African continent and so asset when I
African continent and so asset when I
African continent and so asset when I look I look around I ask myself why is
look I look around I ask myself why is
look I look around I ask myself why is it that a farmer or a flower a grower in
it that a farmer or a flower a grower in
it that a farmer or a flower a grower in Kenya can land flowers on the on the
Kenya can land flowers on the on the
Kenya can land flowers on the on the Amsterdam auction market tomorrow
Amsterdam auction market tomorrow
Amsterdam auction market tomorrow morning but cannot do that in Tanzania
morning but cannot do that in Tanzania
morning but cannot do that in Tanzania a flower farmer can send flowers from
a flower farmer can send flowers from
a flower farmer can send flowers from Kenya to Tanzania as efficiently and as
Kenya to Tanzania as efficiently and as
Kenya to Tanzania as efficiently and as chipper as cheap as sending you to
chipper as cheap as sending you to
chipper as cheap as sending you to Amsterdam that doesn’t make any sense to
Amsterdam that doesn’t make any sense to
Amsterdam that doesn’t make any sense to me I was speaking to a cement factory a
me I was speaking to a cement factory a
me I was speaking to a cement factory a cement company in West Africa recently
cement company in West Africa recently
cement company in West Africa recently they told me it’s easier for us to get
they told me it’s easier for us to get
they told me it’s easier for us to get cement into Ghana from China than it is
cement into Ghana from China than it is
cement into Ghana from China than it is to get it from Nigeria can you guys
to get it from Nigeria can you guys
to get it from Nigeria can you guys believe it for some of you guys who
believe it for some of you guys who
believe it for some of you guys who don’t know Nigeria and Ghana only have
don’t know Nigeria and Ghana only have
don’t know Nigeria and Ghana only have Togo and Benin between them those small
Togo and Benin between them those small
Togo and Benin between them those small little strips in between them it’s
little strips in between them it’s
little strips in between them it’s cheaper to bring it from Pakistan or
cheaper to bring it from Pakistan or
cheaper to bring it from Pakistan or China than to bring it from Nigeria so
China than to bring it from Nigeria so
China than to bring it from Nigeria so this is important this whole issue of
this is important this whole issue of
this is important this whole issue of intro trade Africa is important the
intro trade Africa is important the
intro trade Africa is important the whole issue of us discussing while we
whole issue of us discussing while we
whole issue of us discussing while we need to link up is important and as I
need to link up is important and as I
need to link up is important and as I mentioned earlier it’s important one
mentioned earlier it’s important one
mentioned earlier it’s important one because of social capital as I mentioned
because of social capital as I mentioned
because of social capital as I mentioned you guys a Leah my family sits on both
you guys a Leah my family sits on both
you guys a Leah my family sits on both sides of the border now that has a true
sides of the border now that has a true
sides of the border now that has a true in fact in a serious de facto social
in fact in a serious de facto social
in fact in a serious de facto social capital in Africa it has a serious
capital in Africa it has a serious
capital in Africa it has a serious effect on trust in Africa there are
effect on trust in Africa there are
effect on trust in Africa there are communities that people have speak to in
communities that people have speak to in
communities that people have speak to in Ghana who have friends across on the on
Ghana who have friends across on the on
Ghana who have friends across on the on Toby who tell me I my family we speak
Toby who tell me I my family we speak
Toby who tell me I my family we speak the same language were on the toe beside
the same language were on the toe beside
the same language were on the toe beside people in Swaziland and nelss parade
people in Swaziland and nelss parade
people in Swaziland and nelss parade same issues so we know these borders are
same issues so we know these borders are
same issues so we know these borders are I between and we also know that this
I between and we also know that this
I between and we also know that this board has won’t even drawn by us 1884
board has won’t even drawn by us 1884
board has won’t even drawn by us 1884 bell in conference the Europeans got
bell in conference the Europeans got
bell in conference the Europeans got together and divided up the Africans
together and divided up the Africans
together and divided up the Africans their African continent with Tina’s but
their African continent with Tina’s but
their African continent with Tina’s but what are we doing instead we are
what are we doing instead we are
what are we doing instead we are reinforcing the very same borders we
reinforcing the very same borders we
reinforcing the very same borders we reject saying we didn’t draw them up by
reject saying we didn’t draw them up by
reject saying we didn’t draw them up by putting on layers and administrative
putting on layers and administrative
putting on layers and administrative layer called the visa and so I’m calling
layer called the visa and so I’m calling
layer called the visa and so I’m calling for this visa and this removal of
for this visa and this removal of
for this visa and this removal of barriers to be removed between us and
barriers to be removed between us and
barriers to be removed between us and Africans and I’ll tell you why I spent
Africans and I’ll tell you why I spent
Africans and I’ll tell you why I spent some time as a Mandela Washington
some time as a Mandela Washington
some time as a Mandela Washington fellows this year I spent some time in
fellows this year I spent some time in
fellows this year I spent some time in Georgia in Atlanta actually I never got
Georgia in Atlanta actually I never got
Georgia in Atlanta actually I never got to see any of the housewives of atlanta
to see any of the housewives of atlanta
to see any of the housewives of atlanta but I’ve got some time then about you
but I’ve got some time then about you
but I’ve got some time then about you understand though that the way America
understand though that the way America
understand though that the way America works I mean I was I was paying I was
works I mean I was I was paying I was
works I mean I was I was paying I was based on in Atlanta in Georgia and the
based on in Atlanta in Georgia and the
based on in Atlanta in Georgia and the economy of Georgia as a whole is as
economy of Georgia as a whole is as
economy of Georgia as a whole is as biggest economy of South Africa as one
biggest economy of South Africa as one
biggest economy of South Africa as one stage so what we need to understand as
stage so what we need to understand as
stage so what we need to understand as Africans is that we can never compete
Africans is that we can never compete
Africans is that we can never compete with China or America or Europe or South
with China or America or Europe or South
with China or America or Europe or South America until we understand that moving
America until we understand that moving
America until we understand that moving Goods and people between us and
Goods and people between us and
Goods and people between us and particularly moving ideas between us is
particularly moving ideas between us is
particularly moving ideas between us is the key to solving all of our issues in
the key to solving all of our issues in
the key to solving all of our issues in our
our
our Africa and solving our prosperity and
Africa and solving our prosperity and
Africa and solving our prosperity and increasing our prosperity and growth in
increasing our prosperity and growth in
increasing our prosperity and growth in Africa so I’m a man of capital a direct
Africa so I’m a man of capital a direct
Africa so I’m a man of capital a direct kept capital in Africa if you ask me
kept capital in Africa if you ask me
kept capital in Africa if you ask me what my life’s peoples is I’ll tell you
what my life’s peoples is I’ll tell you
what my life’s peoples is I’ll tell you is to catch butterflies cause catching
is to catch butterflies cause catching
is to catch butterflies cause catching capital across the world is not catching
capital across the world is not catching
capital across the world is not catching butterflies guys you’re asking Americans
butterflies guys you’re asking Americans
butterflies guys you’re asking Americans Chinese rich people from the Middle East
Chinese rich people from the Middle East
Chinese rich people from the Middle East to give you money to invest it in Africa
to give you money to invest it in Africa
to give you money to invest it in Africa and it’s a hard story to tell at times
and it’s a hard story to tell at times
and it’s a hard story to tell at times because we’re not selling it ourselves
because we’re not selling it ourselves
because we’re not selling it ourselves it’s very difficult for anybody to
it’s very difficult for anybody to
it’s very difficult for anybody to believe that they should invest in
believe that they should invest in
believe that they should invest in Africa if we ourselves don’t investing
Africa if we ourselves don’t investing
Africa if we ourselves don’t investing in our own countries and trading amongst
in our own countries and trading amongst
in our own countries and trading amongst ourselves and created a dialogue between
ourselves and created a dialogue between
ourselves and created a dialogue between ourselves so my life as a Mandela when
ourselves so my life as a Mandela when
ourselves so my life as a Mandela when Washington fellow has taught me that
Washington fellow has taught me that
Washington fellow has taught me that guys we need to interact because I
guys we need to interact because I
guys we need to interact because I realized cheering to young Africans from
realized cheering to young Africans from
realized cheering to young Africans from all across the African continent that
all across the African continent that
all across the African continent that our struggles are the same our solutions
our struggles are the same our solutions
our struggles are the same our solutions are the same we just have to find a way
are the same we just have to find a way
are the same we just have to find a way to increase dialogue between us one of
to increase dialogue between us one of
to increase dialogue between us one of my favorite points to end up with is 1
my favorite points to end up with is 1
my favorite points to end up with is 1 by Robert first call mending mending
by Robert first call mending mending
by Robert first call mending mending wall and he asked a question in in the
wall and he asked a question in in the
wall and he asked a question in in the poem what are we trying or who are we
poem what are we trying or who are we
poem what are we trying or who are we trying to wall or fence in or friends
trying to wall or fence in or friends
trying to wall or fence in or friends out so let’s ask ourselves a deep
out so let’s ask ourselves a deep
out so let’s ask ourselves a deep question when we have these borders in
question when we have these borders in
question when we have these borders in Africa who exactly are we facing in and
Africa who exactly are we facing in and
Africa who exactly are we facing in and who exactly are we facing out and why
who exactly are we facing out and why
who exactly are we facing out and why and does it really matter for our own
and does it really matter for our own
and does it really matter for our own prosperity and I put it to you that yes
prosperity and I put it to you that yes
prosperity and I put it to you that yes it does and it’s up to you to go out
it does and it’s up to you to go out
it does and it’s up to you to go out there and make a change thank
there and make a change thank
there and make a change thank [Applause]
”
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