ID SPEECH ON AFRICA DAY
25 MAY 2010-‘What is it to be an African?
JOHN GUNDA, MP IN THE NCOP
‘What is it to be an African?
Being an African means embracing the rich diversity that makes up this continent.
An African is also someone who feels solidarity with all the people of the continent and the enormous struggles that are being waged by them on a daily basis.
Despite the images that are continuously presented by those with an Afro-pessimistic outlook, this is a continent of hope, which is busy lifting itself up from centuries of abuse at the hands of slave merchants, colonialists and dictators who have all exploited Africa’s wealth for their own ends.
The greatest challenge facing us in Africa now is to grow strong democratic and accountable institutions that can ensure that the immense wealth of this continent is no longer used to further the interests of elites, but rather that of the people themselves.
This is a struggle we must never pull back from!
The pre-colonial history of this continent is one in which the glory of the Mali, Ghanaian and Songhai empires reigned supreme and the city states along the East Coast of Africa were some of the wealthiest areas of the world through their trading with Arabia, India and China.
It is time for us to rebuild the strength of Africa by unlocking the resourcefulness of our people to overcome adversity and by giving the world the more human face that it so desperately requires.
Being African and being proud of that also demands a certain kind of behaviour from us.
We should at all times be guided by the principles of those that have led the way, like Steven Bantu Biko, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, OR Tambo, Lillian Ngoyi, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and thousands of ordinary Africans that have over the centuries fought for real freedom.
This means that the behaviour of the ANC’s front company Chancellor House in acquiring a majority share in the Maloma Colliery in Swaziland must be condemned as an act that strengthens the authoritarian Swaziland monarchy and regime.
Is this the ANC’s response to Amnesty International’s call on the ANC Government to take action against Swaziland over the death in detention of Swazi political activist Sipho Jele?
The South African Government is fast becoming like those Western governments that encourage democracy at home, while at the same time propping up authoritarian nations overseas through a variety of selfish neo-colonial policies and investments. .
I thank you.’
For media enquiries please call Mr John Gunda on 078 259 4578
‘What is it to be an African?
Being an African means embracing the rich diversity that makes up this continent.
An African is also someone who feels solidarity with all the people of the continent and the enormous struggles that are being waged by them on a daily basis.
Despite the images that are continuously presented by those with an Afro-pessimistic outlook, this is a continent of hope, which is busy lifting itself up from centuries of abuse at the hands of slave merchants, colonialists and dictators who have all exploited Africa’s wealth for their own ends.
The greatest challenge facing us in Africa now is to grow strong democratic and accountable institutions that can ensure that the immense wealth of this continent is no longer used to further the interests of elites, but rather that of the people themselves.
This is a struggle we must never pull back from!
The pre-colonial history of this continent is one in which the glory of the Mali, Ghanaian and Songhai empires reigned supreme and the city states along the East Coast of Africa were some of the wealthiest areas of the world through their trading with Arabia, India and China.
It is time for us to rebuild the strength of Africa by unlocking the resourcefulness of our people to overcome adversity and by giving the world the more human face that it so desperately requires.
Being African and being proud of that also demands a certain kind of behaviour from us.
We should at all times be guided by the principles of those that have led the way, like Steven Bantu Biko, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, OR Tambo, Lillian Ngoyi, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and thousands of ordinary Africans that have over the centuries fought for real freedom.
This means that the behaviour of the ANC’s front company Chancellor House in acquiring a majority share in the Maloma Colliery in Swaziland must be condemned as an act that strengthens the authoritarian Swaziland monarchy and regime.
Is this the ANC’s response to Amnesty International’s call on the ANC Government to take action against Swaziland over the death in detention of Swazi political activist Sipho Jele?
The South African Government is fast becoming like those Western governments that encourage democracy at home, while at the same time propping up authoritarian nations overseas through a variety of selfish neo-colonial policies and investments. .
I thank you.’
For media enquiries please call Mr John Gunda on 078 259 4578
