The New South Africa

Not much really stood out to me in pouring over the history of South Africa. This was mostly because-as everyone else has already noticed-of the clear similarities to US history: the ultimate oppression of the native population, difference of opinions on race between the colonizing white population and eventual civil war, the settler's expansion into otherwise claimed territory, and, of course, the violent and shameful history of racism and oppression. It is particularly interesting to notice that, until recently, apartheid, the counterpart to our era of Civil Rights Issues, was officially done away with. I imagine that as we see much of post-apartheid South Africa we will be able to draw parallels to our own society in the years following the long fought battle to grant blacks and other minorities full civil rights. I am especially interested to see how South Africa regards the late Nelson Mandela. It would seem that as an idol that delivers the hope of a better future, he is a strong asset to the nation's morale. However the country seems to have a weakness in the form of another of its leaders, Vice-President Jacob Zuma-if the charges against him prove to be true. I was really interested to read about Cape Town's decision to launch an Open Data Portal, which will grant free public sector data to the public. It looks promising as a milestone for public access and citizen involvement in the area. 

My question for Mr. Gilmour is: "What are some of the challenges you have faced in working with African countries?"