The world leader who slated Africa but had a unique view on South Africa
Billionaire businessman Christo Wiese said Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, slated Africa, but did not see South Africa as part of the continent.
Wiese told the story about his engagement with Lee Kuan Yew during an interview on the SMWX podcast this week.
Lee Kuan Yew is credited with transforming Singapore from a struggling country into a thriving economy with high living standards.
Lee, educated in law at Cambridge, co-founded the People’s Action Party (PAP) and led Singapore through its tumultuous separation from Malaysia.
He was the founding father and first Prime Minister of Singapore. He served in the role from 1959 to 1990.
When he assumed power, he was faced with a small, resource-scarce island plagued by significant social and economic problems.
To address these issues, he implemented stringent, pragmatic policies focused on anti-corruption, meritocracy, multiracialism, and economic development.
His vision transformed Singapore into a global financial hub, boasting one of the world’s highest per capita incomes.
Despite criticisms regarding his authoritarian style and suppression of political dissent, he established a country marked by remarkable stability and prosperity.
Singapore has become a blueprint for other nations struggling to create a prosperous and safe society.
It is often mentioned when examining South Africa’s economic struggles and the path it should follow to address its challenges.
Lee died in 2015. Following his death, a week of national mourning was announced, during which approximately 1.7 million people paid their respects at tribute sites.
How Lee Kuan Yew saw South Africa
Wiese said he had tremendous admiration for Lee Kuan Yew and was invited to dinner with him some time ago.
“He was already very frail at the time, and he was addressed as Minister Mentor,” Wiese said.
During a question-and-answer session following Lee’s speech, Wiese asked him about the situation in Africa and his view on the continent.
Wiese explained that Africa used to look West in the past, but is increasingly looking East for many things.
“I asked Lee what he thinks of that, and what Africa should do to make itself more attractive to the East,” he said.
His response was scathing. “Africa, who cares about Africa. It is a continent riddled by crime, violence, and disease,” Lee said.
Wiese said Lee finished off by saying, “I won’t send Singaporeans to Africa until Singapore Airlines flies there”.
This answer was strange, as Singapore Airlines already had flights to South Africa, and Lee had visited the country in the past.
Lee’s most notable trip to South Africa was in 1992, shortly after he stepped down as Prime Minister and before the country’s first fully democratic elections.
During this visit, he addressed an Investment Conference in Johannesburg and met Nelson Mandela and Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Lee’s answer bothered Wiese, considering Lee’s visits to South Africa and the fact that Singapore Airlines had flights to the country.
However, he soon figures it out. Lee did not view South Africa as part of the African continent, as it did not share the same problems.
“Lee did not regard South Africa as part of Africa. The worst of it is that many South Africans held the same view,” Wiese said.
“We considered South Africa to be something apart from Africa, the same as Lee did.”
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