Today marks the 55 years of African unity, this day embodies the aspirations and common commitment by the people of our continent to foster greater unity, cooperation and good governance.
This offers the right moment for thorough and rigorous self-introspection and critical reflection regarding our onward journey towards freedom from poverty, oppression and for the sustainable development of its people.
We must never forget that our struggle for liberation has always been both national and Pan-African. For this reason, when the ANC was established 106 years ago it included peoples from the rest of our region, stretching as far North as present-day Zambia.
We must never forget that our economy was built by the combined labour of Africans drawn from all countries of our region, many of whom died in our mines together with their fellow South African workers.
Neither should we forget that many people from other African countries helped to build our liberation movement, while many in our region died because of apartheid aggression as they supported us in the struggle to defeat apartheid.
Africa Day must not just be about celebrations, but reflections and the renewal of our determination to wipe out all and every form of imperialist domination, looting of our resources, oppression of our people and the exploitation of our natural resources to serve western and other foreign interests.
We condemn undemocratic regimes, such as the tinkundla regime of Swaziland, colonial occupation, such as that by Morrocco against Western Sahara, wars and terror against the people, and express our full support with all fighting for a new and just world, including the Palestinian people in their determined struggle against apartheid Israel. The BDS campaign is an inspiration to all resisting oppression and must be supported by all.
Africa’critical challenge has been poor leadership and young people must rise up to occupy leadership as the world is becoming younger.
Without failure we must critically assess those who vie for leadership positions in our societies, least we select entertainers, sweet faced teddy bears, cool cats and orators, as opposed to strong visionaries.
We pledge to continue fighting for an Africa in which its children, women, workers and the whole society can and must live in freedom from destitution and hunger, landlessness and unemployment, abuse and violence, corruption and dictatorship, as well as poverty and inequalities.
The unity of the African people is of paramount importance and therefore, economic and political integration must be prioritised to advance a common and cohesive agenda.
Issued by:
ANC EC Communications
Enquiries:
ANC Media & Liaison Officer
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No: 0636878267/0731176194
ANC Communications Manager
Gift Ngqondi
Mobile No:0848439706/0849519924
