WEF: 'Africa can't eat democracy'

Dar es Salaam – Democracy in Africa is inextricably tied to the continent’s economic development, said President Jacob Zuma on Friday at the 20th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa.

Speaking at a discussion on democracy, Zuma said it was meaningless if a country obtained democracy but poverty was still present. “People can’t eat democracy,” he said.

According to Zuma, economic development must also be democratised so that a nation can enjoy its benfits.

“That’s one of the things that Africa has not yet been able to achieve,” he said.

“In South Africa , for example, we have democracy and everyone is happy about it, but because of the economic circumstances ordinary people feel we have not done enough yet, and they have no hesitation about coming out on the streets and insisting that we must deliver [on our promises].”

The fact that the economy is now in the process of recovering will help to solve these problems, Zuma said. The needs of the majority of the population, who are poor, must be addressed for democracy to strengthen.

“As long as economic development on the continent doesn’t improve, democracy cannot become well established. People who are hungry aren’t interested in listening to fine speeches.”

 - Sake24.com