Interesting article in today's 'Daily Maverick' on the predictions of Bill and Melinda Gates
http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opini.../#.VMC1l46iRj4

The most interesting is in the comments section by johnbpatson. which echo's my earlier comment better than I could put it.


"It is hard to be critical of people who have spent so much of their own money on disease research, especially malaria, and charitable work. Thank you above all, for setting an example.
But, in order for objective one to be reached in Africa, the work will have to be done by NGOs like some of those you run and others you sponsor because governments will not do it. Does this matter? I am afraid it does, because even the Gates's billions are not limitless, and without government involvement the work will not be sustained.
The same argument holds for objective two -- certainly most of Africa can feed its-self, especially if modern farming methods and techniques are used, but it will not do so till governments make doing so a priority. At the moment, I am afraid to say, the World Food Programme, Ofxam, and others mean food self-sufficency is not an African government priority -- hardly anyone starves in Africa anymore thanks to the rest of the world.
I hope you are right about objectives three and four. One bit you did not mention is that as more people have reliable bank accounts, they enter the tax registers, often for the first time ever. Which is a good thing if they have good governments.
So I hope the brains which managed to design the operating system running most computers in the world, applies them selves to the relatively simple task of good governance. Here is counting on you two!
PS after you have done that possibly working with the Pope on population control would be a good thing..."