Creating a Fair Kazakhstan

1 November 2022

An important date for the people of Kazakhstan is October 25, as it is on this day that the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) was adopted and marked the first step towards independence. It is on this day that Kazakhstan now celebrates its Independence Day said Ambassador Kanat Tumysh of Kazakhstan which coincided with the launch of his book ‘Treatise on the views of excellent Societies and their opposites’ based on the teachings of Al-Farabi. The book launch was hosted by Ambassador Tariq Al Ansari of Qatar at his official residence.

In 2020 Kazakhstan celebrated the 1150th birth Anniversary of the scientist, philosopher and educator Abu Nasr Al-Farabi (870 AD – 950 AD), who is known in the West as Alpharabius and was born in the ancient city of Farab (Otrar) on the Jaxartes (Syr Darya) river in Central Asia (territory of the modern Kazakhstan). Tumysh said that Al-Farabi was a renowned philosopher, jurist and theologian, who wrote in the fields of political philosophy, metaphysics, ethics and logic. “He was also a scientist, cosmologist, mathematician and music scholar. In the Islamic philosophical tradition, he was often called the Second Teacher of the world, following Aristotle who was known as the First Teacher of the world.”

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines the human’s destiny. It is hotly debated whether these words are attributable to the Ancient philosopher Aristotle, but what is beyond dispute is that this maxim contains essential and immutable truths. Through his works and especially wise philosophical treatises Al-Farabi became well-known in the West as well as the East,” said Tumysh.

Ambassador Tumysh bids farewell to South Africa as his term comes to an end. He returns to Kazakhstan where recently the citizens of that country voted overwhelmingly for proposed constitutional amendments following the January 2022 unrest. Tumysh explained that changes were made to 33 articles of the Constitution at the nationwide referendum in line with the historic reforms initiated by President Tokayev at the new phase in the development of Kazakhstan, oriented at creation of a Fair Kazakhstan.

The changes in the Constitution include the following innovations:
● A ban on the membership of the President in political parties for the period of his presidency. The membership ban also affects the chairpersons and members of the Central Election Commission, the Accounts Committee and the Constitutional Court.
● A ban at the constitutional level for close relatives of the President on holding managerial positions in state and quasi-state structures.
● The Majilis (lower house of Parliament) would be fully formed under a mixed electoral system based on party lists and single-member territorial districts. Introduction of a mixed proportional-majority system of forming the Majilis in the ratio of 70/30. This measure would increase the degree of direct participation of citizens in the formation of the Majilis. A recall mechanism was also introduced. It would also allow our citizens to recall MPs elected under the majoritarian system who have not justified the faith of the voters.
● Our Constitution explicitly abolished the death penalty.
● This September, President Tokayev delivered his State of the Nation Address to the People of Kazakhstan, which primarily focused on socio-economic development of Kazakhstan while also included several key initiatives regarding the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
On new economic course
• We established the National Fund, a governmental entity modelled on Norway’s Oil Fund, accumulating a share of the nation’s profits from mineral exploration. The fund’s resources are used to develop the necessary infrastructure and finance projects that are of importance for the country. At the same time, new “National Fund for Children”, from 1 January 2024, will allocate 50% of the annual investment income of the National Fund to special savings accounts for children until they reach the age of 18. Upon reaching this age, the accumulated amounts will be used towards purchasing housing and/or receive education.
• Visas for high-skilled foreigners and significant investors will be simplified and made more accessible.
On elections and the presidential term
• Snap presidential elections are set to be held in Kazakhstan on 20 November 2022 to elect the President of Kazakhstan. H.E. Mr. Tokayev recommended limiting the president’s term to one term of seven years in order to prevent the monopolization of power. Re-election would be prohibited.
• Tokayev further called for the elections to the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) and Maslikhats (local representative bodies) to be held in the first half of 2023
• Our economy will grow by 3-4% at the end of 2022. The proficient surplus of our budget will comprise billions of USD this year.

Ambassador Kanat Tumysh during his term in South Africa had many people-to-people interactions. A project that he hopes will come to fruition next year is to concurrently open Ahmed Yasawi Street in Tshwane and Nelson Mandela in Astana. Sayyid Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi was the second Nakshbandi Sufi leader in history, famous ulama-theologian from Turkistan and a great Turkic poet.

“During my tenure, we worked under the formula of ‘Cultural Diplomacy – Economic Cooperation – Political Solidarity’. I have been outspoken about the need to increase bilateral trade, investments and tourism. I am sure that the cultural diplomacy paved the way for it. I have encouraged Kazakh companies to enter the South African and SADC markets. Despite COVID-19, I believe we have indeed made progress,” said Tumysh.

Speaking about his tenure in South Africa Tumysh said, “Kazakhstan and South Africa may be geographically distant from each other, but distances matter little when we build bridges on mutual understanding. I leave South Africa even more optimistic than when I arrived. Leaving is always difficult, but it is more so, when it is beautiful sisterly South Africa that one leaves behind. This incredible country will always be close to my heart, and I hope, we will meet again.”

TDS