[Guinness]

Originally Posted by DtheP47

A lot of good in later years eh? let’s see the proof on that Mr C
As President of a country with criminally deep socio-ecnomic problems, did he pour resources into redressing the imbalances of apartheid. Did he heck as like, Mandela’s government slipped into the custom of putting national corporatism, power and prestige above its people
With the all-powerful air armadas of Botswana weighing heavily on the minds (a note of sarcasm here)…Mandela’s government announced in November 1998 that it intended to purchase 28 BAE/SAAB JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft from Sweden at a cost of R10.875 billion, i.e. R388 million (about US$65 million) per plane
Not content with jets, in 1999 a US$4.8 billion (R30 billion in 1999 rands) deal was finalised, later subject to allegations of corruption. The South African Department of Defence’s Strategic Defence Acquisition purchased a slew of shiny new weapons, including frigates, submarines, corvettes, light utility helicopters, fighter jet trainers and advanced light fighter aircraft. All some would say to keep the expansionist intentions of Madagascar at bay…
Dead right .......a lot of good in later years for the worlds arms producers not too much evidence that he improved the lot of his people.

And the finale of the piece you forgot to mark as a quote states...

"It’s important to remember, however, that Mandela has been the first to hold his hands up to his shortcomings and mistakes. In books and speeches, he goes to great length to admit his errors. The real tragedy is that too many in the West can’t bring themselves to see what the great man himself has said all along; that he’s just as flawed as the rest of us, and should not be put on a pedestal."