New Mali road celebrates OAU

The Herald, 31 May, 1988

BAMAKO. – Mali on Sunday opened a new road named the Avenue of African Unity in its capital, Bamako, to finalise the week-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity.

The road, extending from Bamako to five of the seven regions of Mali, links Mali with its neighbouring countries.

The Malians also built it to symbolise unity and openness to the outside world. – Ziana-Xinhua.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Monuments or the naming of roads or buildings serves as a tangible reminder of historical events and figures, which helps to preserve our cultural heritage for future generations.

 Monuments have the power to inspire and remind us of the shared humanity and the values that bind us together as a society.

There is strength in numbers. The Organisation of African Unity was instrumental in aiding the decolonisation of the continent. Today the continent is free because of African countries united and helped others to fight for their freedom.

It is always important to remember where we came from and who we are as a people. As Zimbabweans, we are part of a larger group of people, and collectively we are known as Africans. In recognition of this the Government renamed Cecil Square, at the centre of Harare, the Africa Unity Square, just after independence.