Graca Machel Says Recession Could be Good for Africa

South Africa's former First Lady, Comrade Graca Machel of South Africa and previously of Mozambique. She was recently involved with mediation efforts in the east African nation of Kenya.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Mandela's wife: recession could be good for Africa

The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 31, 2010; 1:28 PM

JOHANNESBURG -- Nelson Mandela's wife says decreased aid to Africa due to the global recession could be a good thing for the continent.

Former Mozambican first lady Graca Machel told The Associated Press Wednesday that less foreign funding will force African governments to mobilize resources internally, reducing dependence on external support.

"If we are clever enough, and we are responsible enough... it's time... to rely more and more on our own resourcefulness and the ability to engage our own people," Machel said.

Machel advocated for industrialization and regional integration on the continent as an approach to developing a "win-win" situation for African countries and their trading partners.

Machel was speaking on the sidelines of a nutrition conference in South Africa.