The President of South Africa's ruling African NationalCongress (ANC) says strong relations between his country and the United Stateswould continue to improve significantly, irrespective of who wins theupcoming U.S. and South Africa elections. JacobZuma, who is making what, is reportedly his first high-profile foreign visit,met in Washington this week with US President George W. Bush and Secretary ofState Condoleezza Rice.
In thisexclusive interview with the Voice of America, Zuma tells reporter PeterClottey that there would be no economic policy shift by South Africa.
"Wethought it was important that we see the outgoing (Bush) administration just toensure that what we've been doing will certainly continue. Also of course, asyou know, in South Africa, there is going to be a change early next year. Sothat is very important, because we have done a lot together. But also to ensurethat there would be a continuity," Zuma pointed out.
He said one objective of hisUS trip has been to encourage international private business interest in themany investment prospects that exist in South Africa.
"We want to engage theprivate sector with regards to the opportunities in South Africa and in Africain particular, but also to clarify issues with regards to the happenings inSouth Africa. So it was important from that point of view," he said.
Zuma said he had fruitfuldiscussions with US officials on his visit here in Washington.
"I think it has been good,the reception extremely good. I think we have discussed all these relevantissues, and we have been looking at what we could do as two countries,particularly on matters that affect the continent, as well as matters thataffect South Africa in particular. I think it has gone extremely well. The kindof understanding between the two has been very good as well with regards tobusiness. I think the interaction was really good," Zuma noted.
He said there is need tomake clear that ANC policies on the economy will continue.
"Certainly, I think, as youwould know of course, we've had slightly different systems. In the UnitedStates the president's campaign has put across what they (the candidates) woulddo as presidents as it is happening now. In South Africa, it is the politicalparties that put across their policies, and people vote on the basis of thepolicies of the parties. The Presidents are given the task to undertake andimplement those policies. In the main, therefore, it might not relay entirelyto an individual person. But the question is: will the individual person beable to implement the policies?" he asked.
Zuma reiterated that theeconomic policies of the ANC would not change, irrespective of who becomes theleader of the country.
"Of course, we have beensaying to people that with regards to ANC, the ANC would always decide that itspresident is a president that would implement its policies. They (ANC) would bethe first to worry if they thought that the person was not going to implementtheir polices as the ANC. And we have therefore been saying to people, assuringthem that there is nothing that is going to change," Zuma pointed out.
Meanwhile, Zuma said another purpose of his visitwas to strengthen South Africa's commercial ties with the United States. Herepeated his belief that not enough has been done to encourage investment fromthe US, which is seen as one of South Africa's most strategic trading partners.
Someforeign investors are reportedly worried Zuma may bow to pressure from hiscommunist and trade union allies to steer South Africa away from formerPresident Thabo Mbeki's pro-business policies. The fears escalated after COSATUand the Communist Party unveiled economic polices calling on the government formore intervention in the economy to combat increasing poverty among SouthAfrica's large black population.