Global governance and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic with Lord Peter Hain

May 12, 2020

Podcast host Desne Masie was delighted to welcome our special guest for Episode 10, Lord Peter Hain, who has had an eminent career in politics and is a world-leading expert on governance. He was born in Kenya and raised in South Africa, and went on to lead the anti-apartheid movement when he later moved to the UK as a young man. Lord Hain went on to have many eminent cabinet roles in Tony Blair's and Gordon Brown's respective Labour governments including Minister for  Africa, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Wales. He has also been the Leader of the House of Commons. Lord Hain continues to fight for social justice and good governance in Africa, and was instrumental in holding multinational firms KPMG, McKinsey, Hogan Lovell and Bell Pottinger accountable for their role in South Africa's State Capture scandal. His intervention paid a large role in the eventual unwinding and downfall of Bell Pottinger.

In this episode of the podcast, we talked about global leaders who have differentiated themselves with integrity, empathy and competence such as South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, and those who have crumbled under the scrutiny such as Donald Trump. We also discuss whether the lockdowns may cause more harm than good for Africa's poor, who have been driven to desperation and starvation during the pandemic. Lord Hain offers some suggestions and guidance for good leadership and governance in the private and public sector and the wider global economy in this wide-ranging discussion.

 

More information:

Twitter page for Lord Hain

 

Lord Hain holds Hogan Lovell accountable for role in South African state capture

 

UK government condemns Bell Pottinger for damaging its reputation in South Africa