Alec Erwin vs Alexei Rykov

Alec Erwin was appointed as South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry under President Thabo Mbeki. He oversaw the country's trade policy during the post-apartheid era, implementing liberalization measures and negotiating trade agreements.

Erwin led negotiations for the South Africa-European Union Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA). The agreement provided preferential trade access to EU markets for South African goods while phasing out tariffs over 12 years.

Erwin oversaw the implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policies in the trade and industry sector. These policies aimed to increase black ownership and management of South African businesses, though they faced criticism for benefiting a small elite.

Erwin resigned as Minister of Trade and Industry following President Mbeki's resignation. His departure marked the end of a 12-year tenure during which South Africa's trade policy shifted from protectionism to greater global integration.

After Lenin's death, Rykov succeeded him as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars (Premier) of the Soviet Union in February 1924. He held this position until 1930, overseeing the government during the NEP period and the early stages of Stalin's rise.

Rykov aligned with Bukharin and the Right Opposition, opposing Stalin's forced collectivization and rapid industrialization. He argued for a continuation of the NEP and a more moderate economic approach, but was forced to recant and lost his position as Premier in 1930.

During the Great Purge, Rykov was expelled from the Communist Party in February 1937. He was arrested and accused of involvement in a 'Right-Trotskyist bloc', marking the final stage of his political downfall and leading to his trial.

Rykov was tried alongside Bukharin in the third Moscow Show Trial in March 1938. Found guilty of treason and sabotage, he was executed on March 15, 1938, becoming one of the highest-ranking Soviet officials purged by Stalin.