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CNN Connects: The panel
(CNN) -- South Africa is the economic and political powerhouse of the African continent. The country's broad-based development has put it on the cusp of becoming a first-world nation. Just a decade after emerging from the isolation of apartheid, this nation is on the verge of becoming a true leader on the international stage. But it is also a nation at a crossroads. While its economic growth is the envy of its neighbors, and its booming black middle class is thriving, millions of South Africans still live on less than $2 a day, lack access to clean drinking water, and suffer from HIV/AIDS. While this Rainbow Nation brought home its first Academy Award in 2006, and will play host to the 2010 World Cup, it has yet to take its natural place as a leader on the African continent. In a provocative hour-long discussion in front of a live town hall audience from South Africa's famous Regina Mundo Church in Soweto George Bizos  George Bizos has been a legal advocate in South Africa for over 50 years. Throughout his career he has represented many high profile activists including former president Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, and the family of Steve Biko. He is also known for his work representing Winnie Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, Barbara Hogan, all women who were active in the movement. Bizos was a member of the ANC's Legal and Constitutional Committee and served as advisor to the constitutional drafting committee. President Mandela and President Mbeki have both separately appointed him to the Judicial Services Commission, which recommends candidates for office and reforms to the judicial system to erase its apartheid past. He was also involved in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and continues to serve as legal counsel to Nelson Mandela. Bizos is a member of the National Council of Lawyers for Human Rights, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and is currently a Senior Counsel at the Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg. He has won numerous awards for his work in the legal profession including the Order For Meritorious Service in 1999, the 2001 International Trial Lawyer of the Year by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the 2004 Duma Nokwe Human Rights and Democracy Award. He is the author of "No One to Blame:- In Pursuit of Justice in South Africa," published in 1998. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi  Geraldine Frazer-Moleketi Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi is South Africa's Minister for Public Service and Administration, a position she has held since 1999. She has been a Member of Parliament since 1994 and in her current role, also chairs the National Anti-Corruption Forum, which she helped convene in 2001. Geraldine was previously appointed the Minister for Welfare and Population Development from 1996 to 1999. She attended the University of the Western Cape in the 1980s before leaving South Africa to join the African National Congress in exile. Geraldine was awarded a fellowship to Harvard University at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government where she studied policy analysis and the constitutional process. Minister Fraser-Moleketi has been instrumental in the development of South Africa's policies on key national issues such as welfare, healthcare, youth matters, and women's rights. She is currently a member of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, a Chairperson of the Innovation Committee of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), and is the Vice President of the UN Expert Committee on Public Administration. For information on South Africa Government visit Web site  Hugh Masekela Hugh Masekela Hugh Masekela is considered the father of African jazz and his trumpet has been an instrument of resistance, a call to freedom and a celebration of musical history of South Africa. Born and raised in the town of Witbank, Masekela has been playing the trumpet since the age of 14. Throughout his over 40-year career, Masekela has released over 40 albums, the most recent entitled, "Revival" (2005). This globally renowned trumpeter has performed with artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Paul Simon, Adrian Belew and The Byrds. Hugh was instrumental in the conception of the Broadway smash musical "Sarafina" and has devoted his time and energy to charitable organizations such as MAAPSA (a drug & Alcohol rehabilitation organization). His Autobiography, "Still Grazing" was published in 2004 to rave reviews. He recently completed a tour of Europe & the USA. Masekela is the Chairman of Chissa Entertainment, which he founded in 2001. For more information on Hugh and his music, visit his Web site Tim Modise  Tim Modise Tim Modise has been a broadcasting personality on South African television and radio for over 25 years. He is currently the host of a simulcast talk radio program, "The Tim Modise Network, heard on Radio 702 and Capetalk. In addition to hearing Tim on the airwaves, you can see him every week on "Lekgotleng Le Modise," a current affairs program on SABC2. Tim is a former reporter for the City Press, and has also presented programs for MNET and SA FM Radio. He has covered every major inauguration in South Africa since 1994 and was proud to host Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday celebration. Tim recently created a foundation in his own name to continue his support of young people in South Africa and in the community of Ga-randkuwa, where he grew up and has recently adopted a primary school. Tim is the former Chairman of the "Proudly South African" Campaign and also serves on the boards of the Valued Citizens Initiative, the South African Students Travel Service, and the International Marketing Council. Two years ago, he was appointed chairperson of the BEE Scorecard for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Among the many awards Tim has received is a 2001 Institute of Justice and Reconciliation award for his pioneering work as a journalist in contributing to South Africa's process of reconciliation. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious International Jaime Brunet Award for the promotion of human rights, which has previously been awarded to the Dalai Lama. For more information about Tim, visit his Web site  David Noko David Noko is the managing director of De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM), the South African operating company for the De Beers Group. David is responsible for DBCM's six mining operations, which produced over 15 million carats in 2005, and a turnover in excess of R9 billion. DBCM employs over 8 000 people. Prior to taking over as managing director from Jonathan Oppenheimer in February 2006, David was the operations manager for DBCM's Kimberley Mines, the historical home of diamonds in South Africa. In Kimberley, David led a team responsible for driving production to levels not seen since 1914 (two million carats in 2004), managed the cessation of underground activities and built key relationships with both local and national government as well as the community. Prior to joining De Beers as a Senior Project Engineer in 2002, David, a mechanical engineer by training, was general manager of Air Chefs, the airline catering division of Parastatal, Transtel. Before this David also worked for South African Breweries and Pepsi Cola. David, who is married with three children, considers his current role in DBCM as both his best professional achievement and his biggest ever opportunity. For information on De Beers visit De Beers Web site  Zola Zola is a musician, activist, actor, and TV presenter from Soweto. He is best known for his performance as the gangster "Fela," in the Oscar award-winning film, "Tsotsi," whose soundtrack includes many songs he personally wrote and performed. This musical talent has already made four popular albums, including the latest, "Ibutho," (which means "warrior" in Zulu), released in October 2005. His first album, "Umdlwembe," reached triple platinum status in less than one year and continues to sell to this day. In addition to his musical pursuits, Zola is the host of the popular SABC television show, "ZOLA 7," which helps under-privileged South Africans realize their dreams. The program became so popular that the network launched a "Zola in Africa" series, which traveled to various parts of the continent, including Lesotho, Botswana, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Zola is the recipient of over 10 South African Music Awards and countless national radio and print recognitions. He is passionate about children and the people of Soweto and devotes much of his time and resources to orphanages like the Emdeni Children's Home. Zola often works with OXFAM, UNICEF, and UNESCO to lend his name and support to issues involving African youth, education and arms control. He has been named a UNICEF For more information on Zola, visit his record label ghettoruff 
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