adminThe Herald 25 June 1984
TANZANIA’S President Julius Nyerere has congratulated the London-based Anti-Apartheid Movement for the invaluable role it played to isolate South Africa politically, economically and culturally.
In his message to the movement to mark its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Cde Nyerere said the apartheid system was being strengthened by practical support through continued foreign investment and foreign trade.
Cde Nyerere, who is also chairman of the Frontline States, said although South Africa was very strong militarily and economically, forces fighting the system were not likely to surrender.
He said the work of the movement, as a rear echelon of the struggle had therefore become more difficult at a time when support to the frontline opponents of apartheid had become even more important.
He said there had been setbacks in the struggle against apartheid. A change of tactics by the leaders of apartheid had confused some of its opponents and provided an excuse for continued co-operation by those whose short-term economic interests lay in supporting it.
However, despite these temporary setbacks, forces fighting the inhuman system of apartheid were not likely to surrender, he said.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
October 14 was Nyerere Day as the Southern African and Development Community, together with the African Union remembered the immense contributions by the colossal giant of Africa’s liberation struggles.
Mwalimu Kambarage Julius Nyerere (13 April 1922-14 October 1999) who died at 77, was Tanzania’s founding father whose approach to fighting the British Empire was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent approach to achieving effective results.
Despite the non-violent approach, the same Nyerere allowed liberation movements from the now SADC region to set up bases in Tanzania, to fight the colonisers. Zimbabwe’s Zanla and Zipra were among them. He did this through the Liberation Committee of the Organisation of African Union.
Arguments on Africa’s underdevelopment must be well informed by the responsibility that the first independent countries took upon themselves to ensure that freedom and independence was for everyone. Leaders like Nyerere put the interests of Africa before those of his own people. Their contribution is immeasurable and treasured.
This year, South Africa celebrated 26 years of democratic rule, Zimbabwe 40 years of independence; Angola and Mozambique — 45 years; and Namibia 30 years. All these countries recognise the contributions made by the region’s founding fathers: Nyerere, Seretse Khama, Kamuzu Banda and Kenneth Kaunda towards their independence.
According to a statement by SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, the greatest honour we can bestow upon Nyerere is to carry forward his vision of “peace, freedom, reconciliation, social cohesion, solidarity, resilience and development for the generation to come.”
A statue in Nyerere’s honour is being constructed at the African Union Peace and Security building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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