Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
21 July 2023 | 11:19 CAT
3 min read
Picture: WORDCRAFTANNISA
In this week’s ASRI report on Radio Islam International, Director of research at the Auwal Socio-economic Research Institute (ASRI), Angelo Fick delved into various critical issues, shedding light on infrastructure management, global politics, and language recognition in South Africa. The thought-provoking conversation covered topics ranging from disaster preparedness to the changing landscape of global relations.
Infrastructure management and disaster preparedness
Fick emphasised the importance of distinguishing between accidents and negligence in infrastructure management. Drawing from recent events like the explosion in the Johannesburg CBD, he highlighted the need for proactive disaster preparedness. He stressed that infrastructure maintenance is a sign of good governance, with a focus on monitoring and planning to mitigate potential consequences. The call for all government departments to work together in managing planned changes and maintenance resonates as a crucial factor in ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens.
Fick suggested that it is imperative to have plans in place to manage accidents, instead of managing challenges as they occur. “… This isn’t just about managing issues as they come up. That’s reactive and responsive… Disaster management preparation… must become [the] focus…” Fick said. Fick recommended implementing* the Swiss approach to disaster management, which is called ‘Thinking in Emergency’ for all citizens in order to prepare for potential accidents.
President Putin not attending BRICS Summit: South Africa in a multipolar world
Addressing President Ramaphosa’s announcement that Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin would not be attending the BRICS summit in South Africa, Fick suggested that it is unlikely that the Russian President will leave the country in the foreseeable future. This is based on the President’s pattern in recent history, as well as internal dynamics in the Russian Federation, according to Fick.
“The great insecurity of the Russian oligarchy and of the internal dynamics of power in the political, military and economic controllers of the Russian Federation is such that Mr. Putin is seen to be unlikely to leave the state in case there’s a coup in his absence and he can’t go back,” Fick observed.
Fick also discussed the emergence of a new multipolar world. “The way in which the BRICS Summit responses have been is an indication of a change in the world’s distribution of power. The unipolar that was inherited after the collapse of the Cold War in the 20th century in the 1990s is no longer the case because while the United States remains militarily and economically the most powerful state on the planet, we’ve seen changes in China that have seen it rise in the economic sphere. We’ve seen the proliferation of nuclear weapons so that there are more states with nuclear power. And many states have learned the lessons of what happened to Iraq and what happened to Libya,” he said.
He stated that the changing global power distribution requires South Africa to navigate its foreign policy astutely. The decision-making process will be paramount in safeguarding the nation’s interests amidst a complex international landscape. The analyst emphasized that politicians’ decisions and citizens’ choices in political elections should consider both domestic and transnational frameworks.
“South Africa is going to be caught in the crossfire. Like many other states, it would have to negotiate very carefully between these economic and military powers in order to not have just domestic but also foreign policy issues work out in particular ways to its benefit.”
Sign Language is made the 12th official language in South Africa
Fick praised the signing into law of the Constitutional Amendment that makes South African Sign Language the 12th official language. However, he raised concerns about whether this recognition would be accompanied by the necessary resources. In South Africa, many official languages have faced inadequate support, often leading to exclusion and marginalisation. Fick urged the government to back the recognition of South African Sign Language with tangible efforts, such as training facilities, public campaigns, and funding for institutions, ensuring its practical implementation and widespread usage. He highlighted the need to elevate all official languages in the country and not merely limit their recognition to symbolic gestures.
The ASRI radio interview with Angelo Fick provided a comprehensive analysis of critical issues facing South Africa in an ever-changing global environment. The call for proactive disaster preparedness in, the necessity of navigating a multipolar world, and the importance of backing language recognition with resources were among the highlights of this discussion. As citizens become more informed and engaged, their choices in leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future.
Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat here.
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