admin
Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
AFRICAN leaders should take seriously the ideals of Pan-Africanism if they are to unlock vibrant socio-economic development and stop playing second fiddle to western and eastern countries, academic and political analyst Dr Ibbo Mandaza said yesterday.
Delivering a public lecture at the inaugural “Leaders for Africa Network-Back to Pan-Africanism” conference in Bulawayo, Dr Mandaza said Africa should fight for its place in the global order as a united block.
He accused African leaders of failing to fulfil the Pan-Africanism objectives founded in the 1960s, which member states ratified in different treaties since then.
Pan-Africanism is an ideology that encourages the solidarity of Africans worldwide. It is based on the belief that unity is vital to economic, social, and political progress and aims to unify and uplift people of African descent.
“We went to the struggle to achieve independence, which we got. The real problem now is economic development and we need to move forward and not live in the past,” said Dr Mandaza.
“Africa should have developed into a huge economic bloc but it appears we have run out of ideas. We are in a crisis and we need to show up. As Africa, we need to group together and speak with one voice. Pan-Africanism is not an option but a necessity.”
For Dr Mandaza, the fate of all African people and countries, including those in the Diaspora, is intertwined and they all share, not only common history, but a common destiny.
He said African organisations such as the AU, Sadc and Comesa, which should be utilised as platforms for championing the Pan-Africanism agenda were found wanting.
Said Dr Mandaza: “We should not eulogise the AU. It has failed and it is in crisis. The Sadc and Comesa are now mere talk shows,” he said adding: “The problem is that our countries have become so pre-occupied with politics and State power at the expense of the economy.”
The outspoken Dr Mandaza said Africa should develop a united economic front and approach global players with one message.
The foundations for Pan-Africanism were there but member states were not utilising them, he said.
Dr Mandaza blamed the continued existence of the neo-colonial framework, technically and ideologically, for the demise of African economies.
He said Africa should develop own economic model as opposed to reliance on donor funding and vertical integration to the western and eastern countries.
At the moment Africa exists as a source of raw materials and a market for other countries’ finished goods and continues to export jobs and human capital, he charged.
Said Dr Mandaza: “If we go as a bloc, leveraged on our natural resources, we are a powerful force,” he said: “We should develop a common policy for instance on the exploitation of our resources and by so doing we can determine prices as well.”
Dr Mandaza said Africans should shrug off western ideologies and embrace collective efforts towards developing the continent.
He also said Africa needed leadership renewal, innovative and committed cadres who would take over from the nationalist leaders, who are slowly departing.
Dr Mandaza commended the indigenisation programme as a tool towards consolidating the gains of independence and said there was a need to engage the Diaspora community to contribute towards national development as well.
He said the political leadership should have grasp of economics and be committed to make sound policies that are not motivated by partisan political interests at the expense of economic growth.
The convener of the conference, Richard Mahomva, said African consciousness was under threat and called on the youths to uphold the Pan-Africanist ideals, which were championed by the founding nationalists.
He said challenges facing Africa should be looked at from an analytical and non-partisan manner that would come up with African solutions.
Dr Mandaza said efforts were under way to hold the 8th session of the Pan-Africanist movement in 2015, which would be hosted by Zimbabwe after the 7th session that was held in Kampala, Uganda, in 1994.
The conference is being attended by scores of city youths and ends today.
Online Reporter