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Article: Kenneth Clarke's faux pas. (UK Chancellor of the Exchequer's inadequate knowledge of African politics and economy)
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- May 1, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Kenneth Clarke, brought a silky smooth promotion of privatisation to southern Africa, but his success was limited by his glaring dearth of knowledge about the region's complex political and economic predicament.
Mr Clarke sought to sell the concept of privatisation to South Africa and Zimbabwe in particular. The British view this as the best way of dealing with the two countries' large, loss-making public-owned corporations. However, his quest was confronted by a wary South African Government and a stubborn stance from Zimbabwe.
In South Africa, Mr Clarke hosted a privatisation seminar addressed by several British ...