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Message for SA leaders: Put citizens first, says new Chinese envoy

Message for SA leaders: Put citizens first, says new Chinese envoy

The People’s Republic of China’s ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, says leaders need to stop fighting over positions and put citizens first if they want to realise solid economic growth in the country. “China puts people ahead of government. We have a mantra that says ‘Don’t forget the people or you’ll be forgotten by the people’. That’s why the Communist Party of China has a purpose to follow people wholeheartedly. You have to get ready to serve people and forget about yourself,” he said. –IOL/

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The difference here is that South Africa is a post-apartheid/colonial state whereby a disproportionate amount of the country’s wealth is only accessible through the government. This is the reason why when people get into positions of power they enrich themselves first; because of the way the country is structured and the lack of opportunities for people of color, this is the only way to do so. So perhaps we should be thinking about how to restructure institutions and reexamine relationships (particularly with foreign actors) that reinforce the existing oppressive structures that incentivize people to put themselves before the nation…

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