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The Herald, May 25, 1982
Today May 25, is Africa Day. It is the day the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed in 1963. It was the most concrete and important step African independent states ever took towards continental unity.
It is a public holiday throughout independent Africa except in South Africa and Namibia, which are still under fascist white minority rule.
Does African unity now exist? Yes, it does in some form and at certain levels. But it is still largely an objective rather than a reality. Certain steps have been taken towards it, but more have to be taken in order to realise this objective.
In its final form, at its highest level and as seen by the brightest and most forward looking leaders of Africa like the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, African unity means the establishment of an independent African-ruled union of socialist states of Africa.
This is a long-term goal and Africa is still very far from it.
Today, throughout the continent, African leaders will be reiterating the need and reasons for African unity.
They will explain the methods and nature of the road to African unity. They will also analyse the problems and progress of African unity so far. It is a day for Africa’s re-dedication to its goals of total liberation, unity and socio-economic development.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Africa Day is a day set aside to remember those who died liberating the people not only in Zimbabwe, but in the whole of Africa.
Zimbabwe and other SADC Member States owe a great deal to the Organisation of African Unity, later African Union, which provided funds and solidarity for the war of liberation.
The need and reasons for African unity are obvious. Without continental unity, Africa will never rise to the level where it can mutually compete with sister continents.
With the exception of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, every country has since attained independence. Does the African Union and its various organs think they are representing the more than one billion people on the continent satisfactorily?
The question also being asked is whether Africa is under threat of neo-colonialism or whether there is another scramble for Africa, considering the immense interest by former colonisers and developed countries from the east. What are the African Union’s strategies to avert this?
As in the past, the interest on the continent arises from its rich natural resources, including mineral wealth and human capital. The continent’s leadership should ensure that socio-economic development takes centre stage, instead of civil strife that waste resources and human life.
Online Reporter