By Karl Gernetzky & Yusuf Omar
Source: Grocott’s Mail
Rhodes University hosted two former presidents: Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of an independent Zambia, and Joaquim Chissano, the former president of Mozambique.
The two leaders appeared at a a packed out panel discussion on the past and future of Africa’s development on Wednesday. South African Minister of National Planning and former Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel was also a panelist.
So many people turned up at Eden Grove Red Lecture Theatre, that the audience needed to be accommodated in two additional lecture theatres where the discussion was watched on a video screen.
Joaquim Chissano introduced his topic in “true Mozambican style,” shouting “Viva Rhodes University!”
Africa post-World Cup
The audience enthusiastically shouted “Viva!” in reply. His timely speech, entitled “The 2010 Fifa World Cup: towards greater unity, cohesion and cooperation in Africa,” began with a promise that he would not deliver a “post-mortem of the World Cup.”
Chissano described the event as a major success for the African continent as a whole. “Africa is not a dark continent,” he said. He focused on the power of sport to unite as well as divide nations and cultures, saying; “a community that plays together, stays together.” “We need to draw lessons from the 2010 World Cup; it has taught us we can score more developmental goals if we remain united.”
He closed with his impressions of the World Cup by referencing a popular musician; “in the words of Shakira: Waka Waka! This time for Africa!”
While Kaunda didn’t pull out a guitar and break into spontaneous song (as he is known to do), his brief speech was still entertaining. Kaunda, who is regarded as an icon of liberation struggles in Africa, gave advice to the youth on how to approach the challenges of the future.
“If you don’t understand you can’t fight… you can be very angry as young men and women but it won’t take you anywhere.”
Africa's colonial past
Manuel used the podium to put the process of decolonisation and liberation of Africa into perspective, saying there was no silver platter bearing the process of decolonialisation to the African continent. Manuel’s message was simple: you must understand Africa’s past to shape its future.
However he admitted, Africa’s history is not so simple. “You need to understand the history of colonisation, the brutality of colonisation, or the next generation will repeat some mistakes.”
Manuel came to the defence of Kaunda’s economic decisions during his presidency when he was criticised for his decision to nationalise the copper mining industry. This was widely seen as a major factor behind Zambia’s dismal economic performance in the '70s.
“These were unbelievable circumstances… we need to understand them, not judge them.”Manuel made reference to the Karl Marxist view of history, saying, “History must be made, it doesn’t just happen.”
He also discussed why 30% of the borders of African countries are straight lines – as if drawn with a ruler – and how Zululand is not an independent country because “the British had their butts kicked for the first time by locals”.
Dean of the Rhodes School of Humanities, Prof Fred Hendricks, spoke of African independence and its challenges. He began by describing Ethiopia as the oldest state in Africa with South Africa as the youngest, and how different their political trajectories are. While South Africa moved from an apartheid regime characterised by “ethnic balkanisation” to a democratic state, Ethiopia has developed system of ethnic federalism.
Hendricks blamed colonialisation for Africa’s issues of ethnicity and failure to democratise customary power. Then the young SRC International Affairs Councillor Nchimunya Hamukoma (referred to as Chipo) who is herself Zambian stood up and almost stole the show from the other, more distinguished guests. Her short but powerful speech struck a chord with the mainly student audience, receiving rapturous applause.
Younger perspective
Chipo asked the audience what her generation would be remembered for, following the legacy of the comrades she joined at the table.
“We complain about long readings, not because we can’t read but because we would rather be doing something else,” she said, telling her peers to reflect on the liberties they take for granted.
“What does courage mean to this new generation? If courage and unity were the X-factor that gave Africa its freedom where is it today?” she asked. “One has to be courageous as a woman to walk outside in a country where there is a war against women’s bodies.”
Questions from the audience ranged from the decision to move the High Court to Bhisho, the ability of the ANC Youth League to retain educated people to xenophobia in a post World Cup South Africa. Manuel answered all but one of the questions, even those outside of his field of expertise.
“You are the continuations of our liberation movements,” Chissano told the assembly in summation.