When his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth ll was alive, many had doubted whether the Prince of Wales, a somewhat reckless Prince Charles, would live to the task of a future King of the United Kingdom. Also, many openly suggested he abdicate the Throne in favour of his son, and heir, Prince William.
However, by his recent state visit to the United States, I think King Charles lll has more than lived his peak not only as the reigning Monarch of Britain but also as the voice of reason and moderation in an increasingly turbulent world. In a single address to America’s lawmakers in Congress, King Charles lll sort of acknowledged America’s mighty but with no posture or bragging, made it clear it was Britain that wielded real force, especially his mention of the Commonwealth.
That, I believe, put paid to Donald Trump’s dreams of making Canada the 51st state of the United States. It was a diplomatic knuckle to the head in soft power words, which I have no doubt, left Congress asking for direction. I believe it was in the same spirit that Charles had a solo contrail (Queen Camilla was nowhere to be seen) visit to the Pacific Ocean’s Bermuda, a British territory in what is technically America’s pond of naval dominance.
Africa has a lot to learn from Britain. The British are masters of diplomacy and soft power play that leaves a person apologising, even when they are clearly the ones insulted. Imagine when President Trump bragged that had it not been for American boots “liberating” Europe in World War ll, Europeans today would be speaking German.
King Charles lll replied almost instinctively, taking the scenario more than 200 years back, telling Trump had it not been for Britain, all Americans would be speaking French today. Trump’s father is German and his mother Scottish. Was that bragging, however inadvertently? I think that was crass and perhaps the worst diplomatic goofing of the entire visit.
King Charles lll seized the spur of the moment to remind Americans that Europe and America needed each other and that their centuries-old alliance should never be taken lightly such as Trump has been trying to do lately by rocking NATO. You don’t do that to a King and expect to get away with it.
Now compare that to South Africa’s xenophobia. I think it is the height of hypocrisy to champion human rights globally while harbouring deep animosity towards fellow Africans. Who do South Africans think they can inspire? Who do they think they can convince? Who do they think can join them in playing the world stage? In fact, it is time for Africa to boycott anything South African. Throw away their apples, their wines, medicines, cosmetics, music, and anything South African.
Finally, we in Africa’s south, should not live the lie of a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Our brothers and sisters in South Africa believe they are in a different world, a different Africa. God help them live their lie. However, when the time comes, Africa can sit down and talk sanity into South Africans but not under the ongoing insanity.
