Page 3 - 100 years of Anglo American

Mondli Makhanya

A century

OF SHARED

STORIES

popular pamphlet distributed
American on the lives of South Africans. ‘‘ The leadership career towards conflagration after that
historic meeting, but a door was opened
in mass democratic
and staff of
movement circles in the
and seeds of trust planted. That
1980s carried a graphic
engagement was to play a major role in
Anglo American
cartoon that demonstrated
the detente that eventually led to our
now reflects
Athe influence of Anglo
democratic breakthrough.
After 1994, Anglo American, as a focused
It showed how a worker would wake up South Africa. mining giant, led the conquest of global
in the morning and eat a breakfast Interventions in markets following government’s decision to
containing ingredients supplied by an allow South African companies to list
Anglo American-controlled company, get education, health, abroad.
into a car, taxi or bus that contained entrepreneurship Anglo American has played partner to
components made by a firm in which the government, labour and civil society in
corporation had interests’ and work for a and social housing building an inclusive, transformed and
company with links to 44 Main Street. His have had a major prosperous society. It has not been an easy
lunch and supper would also contain ride – as evidenced by some of the
elements of Anglo American, as would the impact on the uncomfortable and, at times, acrimonious
beer he drank to wind down after work. development of conversations that have had to take place.
The corporation had a place in virtually But the fruits are there to see.
every aspect of his day. the new society Anglo American was a major catalyst for
In those days, Anglo American was the the BEE project that helped to create a
stuff of myth and legend. To some, it was wave of black industrialists. The leadership
the face of the capitalist system that went ANC in Lusaka – at the height of the state and staff of Anglo American now reflects
hand in hand with apartheid. To the of emergency and when war seemed South Africa. Interventions in education,
Afrikaner establishment, it was the face of inevitable. The trip served not only to health, entrepreneurship and social housing
English liberalism; an obstacle to the grand undemonise the ANC leadership in the have had a major impact on the
apartheid dream. To others, it was a model eyes of white South Africa – which development of the new society.
of how to build, grow and consolidate a infuriated the Botha inner circle – but it The Anglo American story is the South
business. To most, it was a place to work, also opened the door for influential people African story. It is a story that has
innovate and achieve – a vital cog in the within the establishment to reach out to traversed epochs of South African history:
South African economic machine. the liberation movement. from colonialism and apartheid to the
In his seminal book, Anglo American and Reporting back from the meeting, liberation struggle, civil uprisings and the
the rise of modern South Africa, renowned Premier Milling CEO Tony Bloom said this birth of democracy to the cementing of a
academic Duncan Innes wrote: “In virtually about the ANC delegation, which included nonracial society. It is a story that can be
every major sphere of mining, financial Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Thabo told through the lens of two world wars, a
and industrial activity in the country, the Mbeki: “It was difficult to view the group cold war and civil conflict. It is also a
name Anglo crops up as either the as hardline Marxists; bloodthirsty terrorists story of a country that believed in itself;
dominant authority ... or at least as an who are interested in reducing South that chose peace and common nationhood
important influence.” Africa to anarchy and seizing power, with a above blood and division.
It was no coincidence, then, that one of hatred of whites ...” Our writers will take you on this
the initiatives that began to open the door He continued: “Without in any way incredible journey through the life of a
to negotiations between the ANC and the wishing to be seduced or hypnotised by company whose history is deeply
apartheid regime was spearheaded by then- the occasion, I believe that they are people intertwined with the history and
Anglo American boss Gavin Relly. In with whom serious negotiation can be development of the South African nation.
defiance of then president PW Botha, Relly undertaken and with whom a certain Enjoy the journey.
led a delegation of white industrialists, amount of common ground can be found.”
politicians and intellectuals to talk to the South Africa may have continued to Mondli Makhanya, editor in chief
ANGLO AMERICAN 100 YEARS 3