June 21, 2005 — World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz says he’s confident there is a real "can do" attitude in Africa following his first visit to the continent.  | World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and Nelson Mandela. Mr Wolfowitz pays a courtesy call on Mr Nelson Mandela at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa
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"From farmers to teachers to government leaders, I’ve seen very talented people ready to tackle the problems and challenges facing them. The World Bank will do all it can to help Africa," Wolfowitz said. The Bank president flew into South Africa on Friday, the last stop of his week-long visit to four African countries, including Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Rwanda. The visit to the continent underscored his commitment to Africa as a priority for the World Bank. It also helped demonstrate his belief that Africa is a continent of hope. While in South Africa, Wolfowitz had a hectic schedule of meetings, with government leaders, major private sector players, women’s groups, civil society leaders and prominent members of the community, as well as Bank staff. In his first visit to South Africa, one of the highlights was a courtesy call on former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been in the forefront of debt relief and aid efforts for the continent, as well as the fight against HIV/AIDS. The two discussed the history and future of Africa and the leadership required to help Africans generate sustainable economic and social progress. Wolfowitz described Mandela as remarkable. “What is so striking is not only his inner serenity but also the clarity and directness with which he thinks and speaks,” Wolfowitz's adviser Kevin Kellems said of the 86-year-old Mandela. “He jokes that he is grateful when young people still want to shake his hand, but the truth is that it's a privilege to meet him,” he added.  | Mr Wolfowitz and President Thabo Mbeki address a press conference at the Presidential Guest House, Pretoria, South Africa |
South African President Thabo Mbeki welcomed Wolfowitz’s visit so soon after becoming president of the Bank. He noted he and the Bank president were of "one mind" on the need to focus on the development challenges of Africa and what needed to be done. For his part, Wolfowitz praised Mbeki and other African leaders for their efforts to rid the continent of corruption. He said the new leadership in Africa was taking responsibility in this regard. He also expressed the Bank’s commitment to increase support to the continent as a whole, particularly in infrastructure development, and to work increasingly with developing countries, "to be a knowledge bank and a learning bank." He also promised to look into the difficulties middle-income countries, such as South Africa, face in doing business with the Bank. A key focus of the meetings in South Africa was for Wolfowitz to listen, learn and discuss ways to accelerate South Africa’s economic growth as a key to reducing poverty and inequality in the country and the region. A breakfast meeting with Finance Minister Trevor Manuel focused on the Bank’s role in Africa and South Africa as well as accelerating economic growth and job creation. They also discussed the Commission for Africa report and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in advance of next month’s G8 summit in Scotland which will discuss poverty reduction following the commitment of finance ministers to cancel USD$ 40 billion of debt of 18 countries. Wolfowitz had an opportunity to visit Soweto where he visited Bethesda House, a Salvation Army home for abandoned babies of HIV-positive mothers. He was visibly moved by the experience and was able to learn more how HIV prevention, care and support for children have evolved in the past decade in South Africa. Wolfowitz had a brief tour of Soweto to understand its history, get an impression of life and the challenges of service delivery.  | Mr Wolfovitz visits an HIV/Aids home for babies and children in Soweto. |
He also met women’s community groups and heard first-hand some of the difficult challenges they face in confronting the AIDS pandemic, especially for orphaned and abandoned children, and living with HIV. He was deeply moved by what he heard from these women and others, including small entrepreneurs trying to run their own businesses. The Bank president underscored the importance of encouraging women’s participation in economic activities and in decision-making to progress economic development throughout the continent. Wolfowitz also attended a round-table discussion with private sector leaders in Johannesburg. The South African private sector has been a catalyst for growth on the continent, with many companies expanding their operations into other countries and looking at investment opportunities. The meeting focused on the challenges of growth and what the private sector and the bank can do to accelerate growth in South Africa and Africa. He noted his agreement with African leaders that "Africa is on the move". |
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