Issue 6: JULY 2013

Contents

Introduction: Africa and the Glittering Prize 1 Africa Must Change 9 Négritude, Africa and Black History 17

Africa Must Unite or Perish 2 Black Woman 12 The African Revolution 18

The Rebirth of Africa 8 Our Ultimate Goal 13 Africa Unite 20 Africa and the Glittering Prize 013 marks the 50th anniversary of the towards Pan Africanism. As such, Biko’s formation of the Organisation of African name was among those read out on a roll call 2Unity (OAU), now known as the African at a ceremony held in Addis Ababa on the Union (AU), an organisation established to 25th of May, 2013. In light of this, we as the promote sovereignty, unity and development Steve Biko Foundation (SBF) are using this, Nkosinathi Biko in the continent. the sixth edition of the FrankTalk Journal, to On the occasion of celebrating the 50th commemorate the history of African liberation Mr. Biko is the Chief Executive anniversary, the AU honoured Steve Biko under the title “Africa and The Glittering Prize.” Officer of the Steve Biko Foun- in recognition of the contribution he made This Journal celebrates an aggregation of dation. He is a founder member the historical, cultural, artistic, scientific and of the board of trustees and philosophical legacies of Africans from past chaired the Steve Biko Foun- times. In doing this, we bring you writings dation for the first five years. “The great powers of the from individuals who laid the foundations of Mr. Biko graduated from the world may have done what became contemporary Pan-Africanism, wonders in giving the world Aime Cesaire, Leopold Senghor, Malcolm University of Cape Town where an industrial and military X, Kwame Nkrumah, Robert Sobukwe and he pursued a Bachelor of So- cial Science (Economics) and a look, but the great gift still Bob Marley to help us reflect on the dream for a united Africa. Postgraduate Diploma in Mar- has to come from Africa Drawing from the lessons of memory keting Management. He stud- – giving the world a more and history, this journal begins what will be ied Property Development and human face.” our year long conversation on the history Finance through the University Steve Biko of African liberation and the role of Pan of the Witwatersrand. He is also Africanism today. a published writer and speaker and has given lectures on the Be a part of this conversation on the values of Africa which today remain – a work in international circuit. progress – and how these inform today’s realities. You can do this by sharing your views and comments via email: [email protected] or the FrankTalk Blog www.sbffranktalk. blogspot.com. We also invite you to continue the dialogue through: Facebook www. facebook.com/TheSteveBikoFoundation and Twitter www.twitter.com/BikoFoundation. 2 Africa Must Unite or Perish A speech delivered at the founding conference of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), 1963. By Kwame Nkrumah available to colonialism and you all KWAME NKRUMAH here know that. (1909 – 1972) This is the great design of the imperialist interests that buttress Nkrumah, a strong advocate for Pan Africanism, declared colonialism and neo-colonialism, and that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless until it we would be deceiving ourselves in is linked with the total liberation of the African continent.” the most cruel way were we to regard Be leading Africa’s independence movement, Nkrumah their individual actions as separate became a source of inspiration throughout the African and unrelated. When Portugal violated continent. He played a significant role in the creation Senegal’s border, when Verwoerd of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, a allocates one-seventh of South Africa’s precursor of the current African Union (AU). budget to military and police, when France builds as part of her defence policy an interventionist force that can am happy to be here in Addis Ababa America the unwilling and distressed intervene, more especially in French- on this most historic occasion. prey of imperialism after one-and-a-half speaking Africa, when Welensky II bring with me the hopes and centuries of political independence. talks of Southern Rhodesia joining fraternal greetings of the government As a continent, we have emerged South Africa, it is all part of a carefully and people of Ghana. Our objective is into independence in a different age, calculated pattern working towards a African union now. There is no time to with imperialism grown stronger, more single end; the continued enslavement waste. We must unite now or perish. ruthless and experienced, and more of our still dependent brothers and an I am confident that by our concerned dangerous in its international asso- onslaught upon the independence of effort and determination, we shall lay ciations. Our economic advancement our sovereign African states. here the foundations for a continental demands the end of colonialist and Do we have any other weapon Union of African States. neo-colonialist domination in Africa. against this design but our unity? Is not A whole continent has imposed a But just as we understood that the our unity essential to guard our own mandate upon us to lay the foundation shaping of our national destinies required freedom as well as to win freedom for of our union at this conference. It of each of us our political independence our oppressed brothers, the freedom is our responsibility to execute this and bent on all our strength to its fighters? Is it not unity alone that mandate by creating here and now, attainment, so we must recognize that can weld us into an effective force, the formula upon which the requisite our economic independence resides capable of creating our own progress superstructure may be erected. in our African union and requires and making our valuable contribution On this continent, it has not taken us the same concentration upon the to world peace? Which independent long to discover that the struggle against political achievement. The unity of our African state, which of you here, will colonialism does not end with the at- continent, no less than our separate claim that its financial structure and tainment of national independence. independence, will be delayed if, indeed, banking institutions are fully harnessed Independence is only the prelude we do not lose it, by hobnobbing with to its national development? Which to a new and more involved struggle colonialism. will that its material resources and for the right to conduct our own African unity is above all, a political human energies are available for its economic and social affairs; to kingdom which can only be gained own aspirations? Which will disclaim a construct our society according to our by political means. The social and substantial measure of disappointment aspirations, unhampered by crushing economic development of Africa will and disillusionment in its agricultural and humiliating neo-colonial controls come only within the political kingdom, and urban development? and interference. not the other way round. The United In independent Africa, we are already From the start, we have been States of America, The Union of Soviet re-experiencing the instability and threatened with frustration where Socialist Republics, were the decisions frustration which existed under colonial rapid change is imperative and with of Revolutionary peoples before they rule. We are fast learning that political instability where sustained effort and became mighty realities of social power independence is not enough to rid us of ordered rule are indispensable. No and material wealth. the consequences of colonial rule. The sporadic act or pious resolution can How, except by our united efforts, movement of the masses of the people resolve our present problems. Nothing will the richest and still enslaved parts of Africa for freedom from that kind of will be of avail, except the united act of of our continent be freed from colonial rule was not only a revolt against the a united Africa. occupation and become available conditions which it imposed. to us for the total development of Our people supported us in a fight UNITE OR SINK our continent? Every step in the for independence because they We have already reached the stage decolonization of our Continent has believed that African governments where we must unite or sink into brought greater resistance in those could cure the ills of the past in a way that condition which has made Latin areas where Colonial garrisons are which could never be accomplished 3 under colonial rule. If, therefore, now the world are pre-occupied with Africa’s understand fully the basic need of our that we are independent we allow the gold, diamonds, uranium, platinum, union, rooted ion common purpose, same conditions to exist that existed copper and iron ore. Our capital flows common planning and common in colonial days, all the resentment out in streams to irrigate the, whole endeavour. A union that ignores the which overthrew colonialism will be system of western economy .Fifty-two fundamental necessities will be but a mobilized against us. percent of the gold in Fort Knox at this sham it is only by uniting our productive The resources are there. It is for us moment, where the USA stores its capacity and the resultant production to Marshall them in the active service bullion, is believed to have originated that we can amass capital. And once of our people. Unless we do this by from our shores. Africa provides we start, the momentum will increase. our concerned efforts, within the more than 60%of the world’s gold. A With capital controlled by our banks, framework of our combined planning, great deal of the Uranium for nuclear harnessed to our own true industrial we shall not progress at the tempo power, of copper for electronics, of and agricultural development, we shall demanded by today’s events and the titanium for supersonic projectiles, of make our advance. We shall accumulate mood of our people. The symptoms iron and steel for heavy industries, of machinery and establish steel works, of our troubles will grow, and the other materials and raw materials for iron foundries and factories; we shall troubles themselves become chronic. higher industries-the basic economic link the various states or our continent It will then be too late even for Pan- might of the foreign powers – come with communications by land, sea and African unity to secure for us stability from our continent. Experts have air. We shall cable from one place to and tranquility in our labours for a estimated that the Congo Basin alone another, phone from one place to the continent of social justice and material can produce enough food crops to other and astound the world with our well-being. Unless we establish African satisfy the requirements of nearly hydroelectric power; we shall drain Unity now, we who are sitting here half the population of the world, and marshes and swamps, clear infested today shall tomorrow be the victims here we sit talking about regionalism, areas, feed the under- nourished, and and martyrs of neo-colonialism. talking about gradualism, talking rid our people of parasites and disease. There is evidence on every side that about step by step. Are you afraid lt is within the possibility of science and the imperialists have not withdrawn to tackle the bull by the horn? For technology to make even the Sahara from our affairs. There are times, as centuries, Africa has been the milking bloom into a vast field with verdant in the Congo, when their interference cow of the western world. Was it not vegetation for agricultural and industrial is manifest. But generally it is covered our continent that helped the western developments. We shall harness radio, under the clothing of many agencies, world build u it accumulated wealth? television, giant printing presses to lift which meddle in our, domestic affairs, It is true that we are now throwing our people from the dark recesses of to foment dissension within our borders off the yoke of colonialism as fast as illiteracy. and to create an atmosphere of tension we can, but our successes in this A decade ago, these would have and political instability. As long as we direction is equally matched by an been visionary words, the fantasies do not do away with the root causes of intense effort on the part of imperialism of an idle dreamer. But this is the age discontent, we lend aid to these neo- to continue the exploitation of our in which science has transcended colonialist forces, and shall become our resources by creating divisions among the limits of the material world, and own executioners. We cannot ignore us. When the colonies of the American technology has invaded the silences the teachings of history. Our Continent continent sought to free themselves of nature. Time and space have been is probably the richest in the world for from imperialism in the 18th century reduced to unimportant abstractions. minerals and industrial agricultural and there was no threat of neo-colonialism Giant machines make roads, clear primary materials. From the Congo in the sense in which we know it today forests, dig dams, lay out (aerodromes; alone, Western firms exported copper, in Africa. The American states were monster trucks and planes distributes rubber, cotton, and other goods to the therefore free to form and fashion the goods, huge laboratories manufacture value of 2,773 million dollars in the ten unity which was best suited to their drugs; complicated geological surveys years between 1945 and 1955, and needs and to frame a constitution to are made; mighty power stations are from South Africa, Western gold mining hold their unity together without any built; colossal factories erected- all companies have drawn a profit^ in form of interference from external at an incredible speed. The world the six years between 1947 to 1951 forces. We however, are having to is no longer moving through bush of 814 million dollars. Our Continent grapple with outside interventions. paths or on camels and donkeys. certainly exceeds all the others in How much more, then do we need to We cannot afford to pace our needs, potential hydro-electric power, which come together in the African unity that our development, our security, to some experts assess as 42% of the alone can save us from the clutches the gait of camels and donkeys. world’s total. What need is there for us of neo- colonialism and imperialism? We cannot afford not to cut down to remain hewers of wood and drawers We have the resources. It was the overgrown bush of outmoded of water for the industrialized areas of colonialism in the first place that attitudes that obstruct our path to the world? prevented us from accumulating the It is said, of course, that we have effective capital: but we ourselves no capital, no industrial skill, no have failed to make full use of our “While revolutionaries communications and no internal power in independence to mobilize our as individuals can be markets, and that we cannot even resources for the most effective take- murdered, you cannot agree among ourselves how best to off into thorough- going economic and utilize our resources for our own social social development. We have been too kill ideas.” needs. Yet all the stock exchanges in busy nursing our separate states to Thomas Sankara 4 the modern open road of the wildest and earlier achievement of economic independence and the raising up of the lives of our people to the highest level. Even for other continents lacking the resources of Africa, this is the age that sees the end of human want. For us, it is a simple matter of grasping with certainty our heritage by using the political might of unity. All we need to do is to develop with our united strength the enormous resources of our continent. A united Africa will provide a stable field of foreign investment, which will be encouraged as long as it does not behave inimically to our African interests .for such investment would add by its enterprises to the development of the continental national economy, employment and training of our people, and will be welcome to Africa .In dealing with a united Africa, investors will no longer have to weigh with concern the risks of negotiating with governments in one period which may not exist in the very next period. Instead of dealing or negotiating with so many separate states at a time they will be dealing with one united government pursuing a harmonized continental policy. What is the alternative to this? If we falter at this stage, and let time pass for neocolonialism to consolidate its position on this continent, what will be the fate of our people who have put their trust in us? What will be the fate of our freedom fighters? What will be the African Unity (OAU) Africanist and co-founder of the Organisation Pan Kwame Nkrumah, fate of other African territories that are Image courtesy of BAHA not yet free? Unless we can establish independence enables us to provide? it shouts to us from every African great complexes in Africa- which we There is hardly any African state heart by creating a true political can only do in a united Africa we must without a frontier problem with its union of all the independent states leave our peasantry to the mercy of adjacent neighbours. It would be futile of Africa, with executive powers for foreign cash crop markets, and face for me to enumerate them because political direction, we can tackle the same unrest which overthrew the they are already so familiar to us all. But hopefully every emergency and every colonialists. What use to the fanner is let me suggest to Your Excellencies complexity. This is not because we education and mechanization, what that this fatal relic of colonialism will are a race of supermen, but because use is even capital for development, drive us to war against one another we have emerged in the age of unless we can ensure for him a fair as our unplanned and uncoordinated science and technology in which price and a ready market? What has industrial development expands, just poverty, ignorance and disease are no the peasant, worker and farmer gained as happened in Europe. Unless we longer the masters but the retreating from political independence unless we succeed in arresting the danger through foes of mankind. We have emerged can ensure for him a fair return for his mutual understanding on fundamental in the age of socialized planning, labour and a higher standard of living. issues and through African unity, which where production and distribution are Unless we can establish great, will render existing boundaries obsolete not governed by chaos, greed and industrial complexes in Africa, what and superfluous, we shall have fought self- interest, but by social needs. have the urban worker, and those in vain for independence. Together with the rest of mankind, we peasants on overcrowded land gained Only African unity can heal this have awakened from Utopian dreams from political independence? If they are festering sore of boundary disputes to pursue practical blueprints for to remain unemployed or in unskilled between our various states. Your progress and social justice. occupation, what will avail them the Excellencies, the remedy for these Above all, we have emerged at a time better facilities for education, technical ills is ready in our hands. It stares us when a continental landmass like Africa training, energy and ambition which in the face at every customs barrier, with its population approaching three 5 hundred million are necessary to the declared a nuclear-free zone and freed capital for our development? How else economic capitalization and profitability from cold war exigencies. But we will we establish an internal market for of modern productive methods and cannot make this demand mandatory our own industries? By belonging to techniques. Not one of us working unless we support it from a position of different economic zones, how will we singly and individually can successfully strength to be found only in our unity. break down the currency and trading attain the fullest development. Certainly, Instead, many independent African barriers between African states and in the circumstances, it will not be states are involved by military pacts how will the economically stronger possible to give adequate assistance with the former colonial powers. amongst us be able to assist the to sister states trying, against the most The stability and security which weaker and less developed state? difficult conditions, to improve their such devices seek to establish are It is important to remember economic and social structures. Only a illusory, for the metropolitan powers that independence financing and united Africa functioning under a union seize the opportunity to support independent development cannot government can forcefully mobilize the their neocolonialist controls by take place without an independent material and moral resources of our direct military involvement .we have currency: A currency system that is separate countries and apply them seen how the neocolonialists use backed by the resources of a foreign efficiently and energetically to bring a their bases to entrench themselves state is ipso facto to the trade and rapid change in the conditions of our and even to attack neighbouring financial arrangements of the foreign people. independent states. Such bases country. Because we have so many If we do not approach the problems are centers of tension and potential customs and currency barriers in Africa with a common front and a danger spots of military conflict. They as a result of being subject to the common purpose, we shall be haggling threaten the security not only of the different currency systems of foreign and wrangling among ourselves until country in which they are situated but powers, this has served to widen the we are colonized again and become of neighbouring countries as well. gap between us in Africa. How, for and become tools of a far greater How can we hope to make Africa a example, can related communities colonialism than we suffered hitherto. nuclear-free zone and independent of and families trade with, and support Unite we must, without necessarily cold war pressure with such military one another successfully, if they sacrificing our sovereignties, big or involvement on our Continent? Only find themselves divided by national small, we can here and how forge by counter balancing a common boundaries and currency restrictions? a political union based on defence, defence force with a common desire The only alternative open to them foreign affairs and diplomacy, and for an African untrammeled by foreign in these circumstances is to use a common citizenship, an African dictation or military and nuclear smuggled currency and enrich, currency, an African monetary zone presence. This will require an all- national and international racketeers and an African Central Bank. We embracing African High Command, and crooks who prey upon our must unite in order to achieve the full especially if the military pacts with, the financial and economic difficulties. liberation of our continent. We need a imperialists are to be renounced. It is No independent African state today common defence system with African the only way we can break these direct by itself has a chance to follow an high command to ensure the stability links between the colonialism of the independent course of economic and security of Africa. We have been past and the neo-colonialism which development, and many of us who charged with this sacred task by our disrupts us today. We do not want have tried to do this have been almost own people, and we cannot betray nor do we visualize an African High ruined or have had to return to the their trust by failing them .We will be Command in the terms of the power fold: of the former colonial masters. mocking the hopes of our people if we politics that now rule a great part of This position will not change unless show the slightest hesitation or delay the world, but as an essential and we have a unified policy working at in tackling realistically this question indispensable instrument for ensuring the continental level. The first step of African unity. The, supply of arms stability and security in Africa. towards our cohesive economy would or other military aid to the colonial We need unified economic planning be a unified monetary zone, with, oppressors in Africa must be regarded for Africa. Until the economic power initially, an agreed common parity not only as aid in the vanquishment of Africa is in our hands, the masses for our currencies. To facilitate this of the freedom fighters battling for can have no real concern and no real arrangement, Ghana would change to their African independence, but as an interest for safeguarding our security, a decimal system. When we find that act of aggression against the whole for ensuring the stability of our regimes, the arrangement of a fixed common of Africa. How can we meet this and for bending their strength to the parity is working successfully, there aggression except by the full weight fulfillment of our ends With our united would seem to be no reason for not of our united strength? resources, energies and talents, we instituting one common currency and Many of us have made non- have the means, as soon as we show a single bank of issue. With a common alignment an article of faith on this the will, to transform the economic currency from one common bank to continent. We have no wish, and no structures of our individual states issue, we should be able to stand intention of being drawn into the cold from poverty to that of wealth, from erect on our own feet because such war. But with the present weakness inequality to the satisfaction of popular an arrangement would be fully backed and insecurity of our states in the needs. Only on a continental basis by the combined national products of context of world politics, the search for shall we be able to plan the proper the states composing the union. After bases and spheres of influence brings utilization of all our resources for the all, the purchasing power of money the cold war into Africa with its danger full development of our continent. depends on productivity and the of nuclear warfare. Africa should be How else will we retain our own productive exploitation of the natural, 6 human and physical resources of the offers, in that aid will come from nation. “Others were born and anywhere to a united Africa because While we are assuring our stability died here. What we may our bargaining power would become by a common defence system and infinitely greater. We shall no longer be our economy is being orientated utter today can add little dependent upon aid from restricted beyond foreign control by a common to the heroic struggle of sources. We shall have the world to currency, monetary zone and a central those who, by their choose from. bank of issue, we can investigate example, have shown us What are we looking for in Africa? Are the resources of our continent. We we looking for charters? Conceived can begin to ascertain whether in how precious are freedom in the light of the United Nations reality we are the richest, and not, as and human dignity example? A type of United Nations we have been taught to believe, the and of how little value Organisation whose decisions are poorest among the continents. We is life without them. framed on the basis of resolutions that can determine whether we possess in our experience have sometimes the largest potential in hydroelectric Their deeds are written in been ignored by member states? power, and whether we can harness history.” Where groupings are formed and it and other sources of energy to our Haile Selassie pressures develop in accordance with industries. We can proceed to plan our the interest of the groups concerned? industrialization on a continental scale, Or is it intended that Africa should be and to build up a common market for piecemeal. This point of view conceives turned into loose Organisation of states nearly three hundred million people. of Africa as a static entity with “frozen” on the model of the Organisation of Common continental planning for the problems which can be eliminated one American states, in which the weaker industrial and agricultural, development by one and when all have been cleared, states within it can be at the mercy of of Africa is a vital necessity. then we can come together and say: the stronger or more powerful ones So many blessings flow from our “Now all is well, Let us now unite”. This politically or economically and all at the unity; so many disasters must follow view takes no account of the impact mercy of some powerful outside nation on our continued disunity, that our of external pressures, nor does it take or group of nations? Is this the kind of failure to unite today will not be cognizance of the danger that delay can association we want for ourselves? In attributed by posterity only to faulty deepen our isolation and exclusiveness: the United Africa we all speak of with reasoning and lack of courage, but that it can enlarge our differences and such feeling and emotion? to our capitulation before the forces drifting further and further apart into Your Excellencies permit me to ask; of ‘ neo- colonialism and imperialism. the net of neo colonialism, so that our Is this kind of framework we desire for The hour of history which has brought union will become nothing but a fading our United Africa? An arrangement us to this assembly is a revolutionary hope, and the great design of Africa’s which in future could permit Ghana hour. It is the hour of decision. For the full redemption will he lost, perhaps, or Nigeria or the Sudan, or Liberia, first time, the economic imperialism forever. or Egypt or Ethiopia for example, to which menaces us is itself challenged The view is also expressed that our use pressure, which either superior by the irresistible will of the people. difficulties can be resolved simply economic or political influence give, to The masses of the people of Africa by a greater collaboration through dictate the flow and direction of trade are crying for unity. The people of cooperative association in our inter- from say, Burundi or Togo or Nyasaland Africa call for the breaking down of territorial relationships. This way of to Mozambique or Madagascar? We the boundaries that keep them apart. looking at our problems denies a proper all want a Unite Africa, united not only They demand an end to the border conception of their interrelationship in our concept of what unity connotes, disputes between sister African states- and mutuality. It denies faith in a future but united in our common desire to disputes that arise out of the artificial for African advancement in African move forward together in dealing barriers raised by colonialism. It was independence. It betrays a sense of with all the problems that can best be colonialism’s purpose that divided us. solution only in continued reliance solved only on a continental basis. It was colonialism’s purpose that left upon external sources through When the first congress of the us with our border irredentism that bilateral agreements for economic United States met many years ago rejected our ethnic and cultural fusion. and other forms of aid. The fact is that at Philadelphia, one of the delegates Our people call for unity so that they although we have been co-operating sounded the first chord of unity by may not lose the patrimony in the and associating with one another in declaring that they had met in ‘a perpetual service of neo colonialism. various fields of common endeavour state of nature’; In other words, they In their fervent push for unity, they even before colonial times, this has not were not in Philadelphia as Virginians, understand that only its realization will given us the continental identity and or Pennsylvanians, but simply as give full meaning to their freedom and the political and economic force which Americans .This reference to them as our African independence. would help us to deal effectively with Americans were in those days a new It is this popular determination the complicated problems confronting and strange experience. May 1 dare that must move us on a union of us in Africa today. As far as foreign to assert equally on this occasion. independent African states. In delay lies aid concerned, a united Africa should Your Excellencies, that we meet here danger to our well-being, to our very be in a favorable position to attract today not as Ghanaians, Guineans, existence as Free states. It has been assistance from foreign sources. Egyptians Algerians, Moroccans, suggested that our approach to unity There is the far more compelling Malians, Liberians, Congolese or should be gradual, that it should go advantage which this arrangement Nigerians but as Africans. Africans 7 united in our resolve to remain here launch the Union Government of Africa. Portuguese Guinea, etc, and of course until we have agreed on the basic We must also decide on a location South Africa. All Africa must be liberated principles of a new pact of unity among where this body of officials and experts now. It is therefore imperative for us ourselves which guarantees for us will work as the new Headquarters here and now to establish a liberation and our future a new arrangement or capital of our Union Government. bureau for African freedom fighters, the of continental government. If we Some Central place in Africa might be main object of this bureau, to watch all succeed in establishing a new set of the fairest suggestion, either at Bangui governments should subscribe, should principles as the basis of a new charter in the Central African Republic or be to accelerate the emancipation of or stature for the establishment of a Leopoldville in Congo. My colleagues the rest of Africa still under colonial and continental Unity of Africa and the may have other proposals. The racialist domination and oppression. creation of political and social progress committee of foreign ministers, officials It should be our joint responsibility to for our people, then in my view, this arid experts should be empowered to finance and support this bureau. On their conference should mark the end of establish: successful attainment of independence our various groupings and regional these territories will automatically join blocs. But if we fail and let this grand 1. A Commission to frame a our Union of African states, and thus and historic opportunity slip by then constitution for a Union strengthen the fabric of mother Africa. we shall give way to greater dissention government of African States; We shall leave here, having laid the and division among us for which the foundations for our unity. people of Africa will never forgive 2. A Commission to work out a Your Excellencies, nothing could be us. And the popular and progressive continent-wide plan for a unified or more fitting than that the unification of forces and movements within Africa common economic and industrial Africa should be born on the soil of will condemn us. I am sure therefore programme for Africa; this place the state which stood for centuries as that we shall not fail them. should include proposals for the symbol of African independence. I have spoken at some length, Your setting up: Let us return to our people of Africa Excellencies, because it is necessary • A common market for Africa not with empty hands and with High- for us all to explain not only to one • An African currency; sounding solutions, but with the firm another present here but also to our • An African monetary zone; hope and assurance that at long last people who have entrusted to us the • An African central Bank, and African Unity has become a reality. fate and destiny of Africa. We must • A continental communication We shall thus begin the triumphant therefore not leave this place until system. march to the kingdom of the African we have set up effective machinery personality, and to a continent of for achieving African unity. To this 3. A commission to draw up prosperity, and progress, of equality end, I propose for your consideration details for a common foreign and justice and of work and happiness. the following: As a first step Your policy and diplomacy. This shall be our victory-victory within Excellencies, a declaration of principles a continental government of a union uniting and binding us together and to 4. A Commission to produce plans of African states. This victory will give which we must all faithfully and loyally for a common system of defence. our voice greater force in world affairs adhere, and laying the foundations of and enable us to throw our weight unity should be set down. And there 5. A commission to make proposals more forcibly on the side of peace. should also be a formal declaration for a common African citizenship The world needs peace in which the that all independent African states here greatest advantage can be taken of and now agree to the establishment of These commissions will report to the the benefits of science and technology. a Union of African states. As a second committee of Foreign Ministers who Many of the World’s present ills are to and urgent step for the realization of should in turn submit within six months of be found in the insecurity and fear the unification of Africa, an all- Africa this conference their recommendations engendered by the threat of nuclear Committee of foreign Ministers be set to the Praesidium. The Praesidium war. Especially do the new nations up now, and that before we rise from meeting in conference at the Union need peace in order to make their way this Conference a date should be fixed Headquarters will consider and approve into a life of economic and social well- for them to meet. the recommendations of the committee being amid an atmosphere of security This committee should establish of Foreign Ministers. In order to provide, and stability that will promote moral, on behalf of the Heads of our funds immediately for the work of the cultural and spiritual fulfillment. Governments, a permanent body permanent officials and experts of the If we in Africa can achieve the of officials and experts to work out Headquarters of the Union, I suggest that example of a continent knit together machinery for the Union Government a special Committee be set up to work in common policy and common of Africa. This body of officials and out a budget for this. Your Excellencies, purpose, we shall have made the experts should be made up of two of with these steps, I submit, we shall be finest possible contribution to that the best brains from each independent irrevocably committed to the road which peace for which all men and women African state. The various charters of will bring us to a Union government foe thirst today, and which will lift once the existing groupings and experts. Africa. Only a United Africa with central and forever the deepening shadow A Presidium consisting of the Heads political direction can successfully- give of global destruction from mankind. of Governments of the independent effective material and moral support Ethiopia shall STRETCH forth her African states should be called upon to our freedom fighters, In Southern hands to God. to meet and adopt a constitution and Rhodesia, Angola, Mozambique, other recommendations which will South-West Africa, Bechuanaland, AFRICA MUST UNITE OR PERISH! 8 The Rebirth of Africa H.I.M. Haile Selassie speech at the OAU Inaugural Summit, 1963.

task on which we have embarked, and those who escaped conquest did the making of Africa, will not wait. We so at the cost of desperate resistance must act, to shape and mould the and bloodshed. Others were sold into future and leave our imprint on events bondage as the price extracted by the as they pass into history. colonialists for the “protection” which We seek, at this meeting, to they extended and the possession of determine whither we are going and which they disposed. to chart the course of our destiny. It Africa was a physical resource to be is no less important that we know exploited and Africans were chattels whence we came. to be purchased bodily or, at best, An awareness of our past is essential peoples to be reduced to vassalage to the establishment of our personality and lackeyhood. Africa was the market HAILE SELASSIE and our identity as Africans. This world for the produce of other nations and (1892 – 1975) was not created piecemeal. Africa the source of the raw materials with Haile Selassie was an emperor was born no later and no earlier than which their factories were fed. of Ethiopia whose influence any other geographical area on this Today, Africa has emerged from as a leader stretched beyond globe. Africans, no more and no less this dark passage. Our armageddon the boundaries of his country. than other men, possess all human is past. Africa has been reborn as a As one of the founders of the attributes, talents and deficiencies, free continent and Africans have been Organisation of African Unity virtues and faults. reborn as free men. The blood that (OAU), now known as the Thousands of years ago, civilizations was shed and the sufferings that were African Union (AU), Selassie is flourished in Africa which suffer not endured are today Africa’s advocates recognised as one of the major at all by comparison with those of for freedom and unity. forces of Pan Africanism. other continents. In those centuries, Those men who refused to accept Africans were politically free and the judgement passed upon them by economically independent. Their social the colonies, who held unswervingly patterns were their own and their through the darkest hours to a vision e welcome to Ethiopia, in cultures truly indigenous. The obscurity of an Africa emancipated from political, our name and in the name which enshrouds the centuries which economic and spiritual domination, will Wof the Ethiopian Government elapsed between those earliest days be remembered and revered wherever and people, the Heads of State and and the rediscovery of Africa are being Africans meet. Many of them never set Government of independent African gradually dispersed. What is certain is foot on this continent. nations who are today assembled in that during those long years Africans Others were born and died here. solemn conclave in Ethiopia’s capital were born, lived and died. What we may utter today can add city. Men on other parts of this Earth little to the heroic struggle of those This conference, without parallel in occupied themselves with their who, by their example, have shown us history, is an impressive testimonial own concerns and, in their conceit, how precious are freedom and human to the devotion and dedication of proclaimed that the world began and dignity and of how little value is life which we all partake in the cause of ended at their horizons. All unknown without them. Their deeds are written our mother continent and that of her to them, Africa developed in its own in history. sons and daughters. This is indeed a pattern, growing in its own life and, in the momentous and historic day for Africa nineteenth century, finally re-emerged H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I and for all Africans. into the world’s consciousness. We stand today on the stage of The events of the past hundred and Article Retrieved from http://www. world affairs, before the audience of fifty years require no extended recitation nazret.com/history/him_oau.php world opinion. We have come together from us. The period of colonialism into Spelling and Grammar has been left to assert our role in the direction of which we were plunged culminated as found. world affairs and to discharge our with our continent fettered and bound, duty to the great continent whose with our once proud and free peoples two hundred fifty million people we reduced to humiliation and slavery; lead. Africa is today at mid- course, in with Africa’s terrain cross-batched “Africa is one transition from the Africa of yesterday and checkerboarded by artificial and continent, one people to the Africa of tomorrow. arbitrary boundaries. and one nation.” Even as we stand here we move Many of us, during those bitter Kwame Nkrumah from the past into the future. The years, were overwhelmed in battle, 9 Africa Must Change By Julius Nyerere

frica must change; change from an area where people eke out an JULIUS NYERERE Aexistence and adapt themselves (1922 – 1999) to their environment, to a continent, which challenges the environment and One of Africa’s most respected political adapts it to man’s need. Africa must figures, Julius Nyerere served as the first change her institutions to make feasible president of independent Tanzania. Popularly her new aspirations; her people must referred to as ‘Mwalimu’ or ‘teacher’, Julius change their attitudes and practices to Nyerere believed that education would serve accord with the objectives. And these as an important tool in the liberation of changes must be positive, they must Africa. He also advocated for an African unity be initiated and shaped by Africa and “strengthened and expressed in economic not simply be a reaction to events and political form.” which affect Africa. For a revolution has begun in Africa. It is a revolution which we hope to control and channel so that our lives purpose of our revolution and Africa grandfathers and great grandfathers, are transformed. It is a revolution with will fail to make its proper contribution have learned and adapted from a purpose, and that purpose is the to the development of mankind. nature, from ourselves, and from the extension to all African citizens of the But the opportunity is before us peoples of Europe, America, and Asia. requirements of human dignity. The provided we have the courage to This we shall continue to do, just as task before us is a big and complicated seize it. For the choice is not between men and civilisations throughout the one. In the process we shall have change or no change; the choice for world have always done. many decisions to make which involve Africa is between changing or being In determining our future out of the clashes of principle – where we have changed – changing our lives under our lessons of our present and past, we to choose, let us say, between rapid own direction, or being changed by the shall be working out a new synthesis, development and individual freedom, impact of forces outside our control. In a way of life that draws from Europe or between efficiency and equality. Africa there is no stability in stagnation as well as Africa, from Islam as well as There is and will be no simple or in this twentieth century; stability can Christianity, from communalism and universal answer to such problems; only be achieved through maintaining individualism. No blueprint can be the choice will have to be made in the balance during rapid change. drawn up, and no one can accurately light of historical circumstances and In fact the African peoples have foretell how all the different pressures the conflicting needs of present and been shaped as much by their own will reveal themselves in the Africa of future. The only certain thing is that if past, shrouded in mist though much the year 2000. we forget any of our principles, even of it still is, as they have been by their A united Africa does not mean a when we are ignoring or breaking contact with the West. Therefore as a uniform Africa. The events which them, then we shall have betrayed the people, to a large extent, determine take place during the struggle for their own future, so it can be stated freedom, as well as economic and quite categorically that no part of other factors, will affect the policies Africa will ever become a duplicate and attitudes prevalent in any one “The civilization of the copy of any part of Europe. An African area. This means that in South Africa, twentieth century cannot in Africa will never become simply a for example, the people at present in be universal except black European. power – as well as those struggling for by being a dynamic Sometimes Europeans talk as if it – are influencing the future. But their synthesis of all the we should be ashamed of our own deliberate encouragement of racialism cultural values of all heritage. We are not. On the other and prejudice, and their imposition hand sometimes they talk as if we of humiliation and frustration on the civilizations. It will be should put aside everything which African people, is poisoning this monstrous unless it is is not ‘traditionally African’ and live future. Because whether or not Africa seasoned with the salt of forever as though the Europeans had ever becomes united, whether or not negri-tude, for it will never come into contact with us. But we manage to overcome the present be without the savor of this too, would demand that we deny poverty in our continent – both of humanity.” our own history; we cannot do it. which I believe will happen – there is Leopold Senghor We are what all our past, known and one thing which is quite certain. Africa unknown, has made us. We and our will belong to Africans. I believe that 10 this word ‘Africans’ can include all “Is there any way that which now threaten to overwhelm us. those who have made their home in my people can have the For the sake of all African states, large or small, African Unity must come and the continent, black, brown, or white. blessings of technology I think this is what the majority of it must be real unity. Our goal must be without being eaten away the people now want. Yet it can only a United States of Africa. Only this can happen if people stand as individual by materialism and losing really give Africa the future her people citizens, asking only for rights the spiritual dimension deserve after centuries of economic which can be accorded to all other from their lives?” uncertainty and social oppression. This individuals. This means forgetting Kenneth Kaunda goal must be achieved and it does not colour, or race, and remembering matter whether this is done by one humanity. On this basis of equality I But with all this African Unity is at step or many, or through economic, or believe Africa has a good future for present merely an emotion born of a social development. all her people. But the responsibility history of colonialism and oppression. The only thing which should matter is ours. Each one of us must play our It has to be strengthened and to us now is how to get African Unity part in the struggle for the right to expressed in economic and political as quickly as possible. Historically regard each man as our brother. form before it can really have a positive areas of the world have been united There is one sense in which African effect on our future. The position can by two methods – by conquest or Unity already exists. There is a be compared to that of a number of by negotiated terms of association. sentiment of ‘African-ness’, a feeling of brothers crossing a maelstrom on It is absurd to imagine African Unity mutual involvement, which pervades parallel and joined rope bridges, each coming from the domination of one all the political and cultural life of the burdened with balancing poles and African country over another. Our continent. Nationalist leaders all over weights as well as his own building unity can only be negotiated unity, for Africa feel themselves to be part of a equipment. A single broad structure it is the unity of equals. greater movement; they recognize a with firm foundations would enable all The boundaries which divide special responsibility to the political to cross more easily, enable loads to African states are so nonsensical unit in which they happen to belong, be carried jointly where appropriate, that without our sense of unity they but feel personally involved in the and eliminate the danger of over- would be a cause of friction. But we triumphs and setbacks of all other balancing the other by inadvertently have no alternative but start from African countries. There is, in other shaking the holding wire. Indissoluble the position which we inherited after words, an emotional unity which finds African Unity is the stone bridge the colonial partition of Africa. There expression in, among other things, which would enable us all to walk in is no one country which does not concepts such as ‘African personality’, safety over this whirlpool of power include areas which would come and in a tendency to consult together politics, and enable us to carry more under another political unit if any at international conferences. easily the economic and social loads principles of political geography were May 2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the formulation of the OAU, now known as the AU. now known as the Anniversary of the formulation OAU, May 2013 marks the 50th 11

Although the goal must be clear, it which is sufficiently balanced, stable, “We want to make the would, however, be wrong to think in and large to promote and sustain its African people conscious of terms of the shape of government in own growth, and to withstand shock the fact that they have to win their own liberation, a united Africa. waves from other parts of the world. rely on themselves to Certainly African Unity will not be In other words, Africa wishes to have carry on a relentless and easy to attain but equally certainly it the political strength to prevent other determined struggle instead can be won if the peoples of Africa powers using her for their own ends, of relying on court cases and so determine. As I have said once and it wishes to have the economic negotiations on their behalf before, the role of African nationalism strength to justify and support a by “sympathetic” whites.” is different – or should be different – modern economy – which is the only Robert Sobukwe from the nationalism of the past. We basis on which prosperity can come to must use the African national states its people. considered, and numerous tribes live as an instrument for the reunification Each of the African states is in at least two countries or have their of Africa, and not allow our enemies to separately so weak in relation to the origins in some other area of Africa. use them as tools for dividing Africa. outside world, and so dependant Yet for us to start making ‘claims’ on We do not believe that there is a on it, that hardly any decisions can each other’s territory would be to play choice between achieving African be made without a consideration of into the hands of those who wish to Unity step by step and achieving the attitudes which larger powers keep Africa weak so as to improve it in one act. The one act choice is may consequently adopt. For any their own relative strength in the not available to us except in some African country to take any step future, and it might well lead us to the curious imagination. It has not been which might arouse hostility from tragic absurdity of spending money given to us human mortals to simply a major power is an act of great on armaments while our people die will things into existence. Between courage, and often of self-sacrifice. for want of medical attention or starve willing of an end and the achievement We do have the resources in men from want of knowledge. of that end there is a process. This or money to counter an international African Unity is a natural thing process is sometimes long and propaganda campaign which might which must and can come on the sometimes short, and indeed the be mounted against us; we even have basis of willing association between greater the objective the longer may insufficient resources to cope easily the peoples of Africa. Our disunity be the process. But whether short or with any attempts to undermine our and our common experiences of long it is a process and a process by governments or our constitutions by alien domination have impressed definition is progress step by step. To subversion or other secret means. us all with the need for unity, and rule out a step by step progress in a These are not idle complaints, nor given us an All-African sympathy march to unity is to rule out unity itself. expressions of a paranoic persecution which is combined with close ties But modern prosperity is complex. They are the facts of life to our own village. What we want, inseparable from international trade. which we ought to take into account therefore, is unity of action together Yet international trade is like a two- in all our major international policy with the greatest possible degree of way suction pump; it sucks more decisions, and even in relation to local self-expression on things which from the developing countries into some of our internal decisions. And affect only that locality. This will be in the developed countries than it puts we ought to take them into account accordance with the oldest tradition into the developing countries from because we are weak, small, and of Africa; it will be a new growth on the developed ones. As a result, the inexperienced countries which have the deep roots of our life. gap between the developed and the very limited possibilities of reasonable As long as there remain separate developing countries of the world is growth without the co-operation of African nations there will remain widening, not narrowing. the big powers. too a danger that other states will To ask ourselves by African unity, Unity is therefore essential for exploit our differences for their own however, is really to ask ourselves the safety, the integrity, and the purposes. Only with unity can we what we want, and expect, to achieve development of Africa. Its form must ensure that Africa really governs by it. Why is it that we have been secure these things; otherwise it is Africa. Only with unity can we be sure talking about unity for so long? Why pointless. Unity must prevent the that African resources will be used for is it that no African leader has gone political exploitation of our fears and the benefit of Africa. on record as opposing this objective? needs by those outside Africa; it must Our goal must remain firm, and In broad terms the answer is simple. not be possible for the different parts nothing short of a United States of The people of Africa wish to determine of Africa to compete one against the Africa should be accepted as our their own destiny and to overcome the ultimate destiny. This does not mean poverty from which they now suffer. that we must – or that we could – For this is not enough to be technically “I am not African achieve this goal tomorrow, in one free, to have a Parliament and a because I was born in step. We must progress towards it President and Ministers. It is necessary Africa but because Africa as and when we can, either by All- also to have real power to stand on your is born in me.” African decisions or by steps towards own feet and follow your own interests. Kwame Nkrumah unity in different areas of Africa. It is necessary to have an economy 12 other for economic favours in return for political concessions. Africa must LEOPOLD SENGHOR be able to police itself effectively, (1906 – 2001) and to possess a minimum defence against outside aggression. Unity Leopold Sedar Senghor was one of Africa’s must also ensure that Africa becomes foremost poets and the first president of one market, and that its people independent Senegal. As a student in Paris in cease to be divided by customs the 1930s, he was also one of the founders posts and tariff walls along a hundred of the concept of Negritude. Like Cesaire, he frontiers. Africa’s commerce must argued that black civilisation long preceded be facilitated by a single currency, white colonialism and it was therefore untrue and its productivity enhanced by the that the French were bringing ‘civilisation’ to rationalisation of administration in their colonial subjects. relation to economic factors. The theoretical arguments about where power lies within state, whether the people, or Parliament, or a group of parliaments, are sovereign, is irrelevant to this central question. For the BLACK Woman purposes of African Unity what matters By Leopold Sedhar Senghor is the existence of one or many bodies in ultimate control of all relationships Naked woman, black woman with outside powers. While national sovereignty persists there will be, as Clothed with your colour which is life, at present, many ultimate sources of with your form which is beauty! power in relation to the external world. In your shadow I have grown up; That is the practical meaning of national the gentleness of your hands was laid over my eyes. sovereignty. When Africa is united there And now, high up on the sun-baked can be only one source of ultimate pass, at the heart of summer, at the heart of noon, power as far as non-African powers I come upon you, my Promised Land, are concerned; national sovereignties And your beauty strikes me to the heart have thus ceased to exist, and been like the flash of an eagle. replaced by the sovereignty of Africa as a single unit, incorporating all the Naked woman, dark woman separate units. Firm-fleshed ripe fruit, sombre raptures Yet despite all these difficulties – of black wine, mouth making lyrical my mouth indeed because of them – Africa must Savannah stretching to clear horizons, unite. And it must move forward as savannah shuddering beneath the East Wind’s swiftly as is consistent with safety on eager caresses this rocky mountain path. The people Carved tom-tom, taut tom-tom, muttering of Africa today, and particularly under the Conqueror’s fingers its leaders, have a duty to their ancestors, and to their descendants Your solemn contralto voice is the which they must not fail to carry out. spiritual song of the Beloved. The man whose contribution merits a Naked woman, dark woman footnote in the history of United Africa will deserve more of the future, than Oil that no breath ruffles, calm oil on the he whose obstinacy, fear or pride, athlete’s flanks, on the flanks of the Princes of Mali prevents or delays the day when that Gazelle limbed in Paradise, pearls are stars on the history can be written. I believe that night of your skin the people of Africa will be worthy of Delights of the mind, the glinting of red their great opportunity. gold against your watered skin Under the shadow of your hair, my care “As for the world, is lightened by the neighbouring suns of your eyes. so for Afrika. The Naked woman, black woman, future of Afrika will I sing your beauty that passes, the form be what Afrikans that I fix in the Eternal, make it.” Before jealous fate turn you to ashes to Robert Sobukwe feed the roots of life. 13

Our Ultimate Goal By Robert Sobukwe a speech delivered at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Pan Africanist Congress: April,1959

ir, Sons and Daughters of in the material and physical world, Afrika! Mr. Speaker has already man appears to be either unwilling Sinformed you that we had or unable to solve the problem of hoped that this inaugural Convention social relations between man and of the Africanists would be opened by man. Because of this failure on the Dr. Kamuzu Hastings Banda, failing part of man, we see the world split which, by Mr. Kenneth Kaunda of the today into two large hostile blocks, Zambia African National Congress in the so-called Capitalist and Socialist Northern Rhodesia. Both have been blocks represented by the U.S.A. and unable to attend our convention, the Soviet Union respectively. These for both are now, in the language of two blocks are engaged in terrible the colonialists, “detained” in some competition, use tough language and ROBERT SOBUKWE concentration camps because they tactics, employ brinkmanship stunts (1924 – 1978) dared to demand the right of self which have the whole world heading determination for the indigenous for a nervous breakdown. They each Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe African people of Nyasaland and are armed with terrible weapons of was a man of great intellect and Northern Rhodesia. The honourable destruction and continue to spend charisma. A fervent Africanist, task of opening this conference has, millions of pounds in the production Sobukwe saw the struggle therefore, fallen to me, an Africanist, of more and more of these weapons. against white oppression as an and I wish to thank the Central In spite of all the diplomatic talk of co- African struggle. It was in this Committee for the honour. existence, these blocks each behave context that he broke away I am particularly grateful for the as though they did not believe that from the ANC in 1959 to form opportunity this offers me to treat co-existence was possible. the Pan Africanist Congress briefly of certain issues relevant to our (PAC). struggle which, though adequately AFRIKA’S POSITION treated in the documents that will be The question then arises, where considered by this Convention, require does Afrika fit into this picture and to be presented to such a gathering. I where, particularly, do we African everybody is looking anxiously and hope, then, Mr. Speaker, in the course nationalists, we Africanists in South expectantly towards Afrika to see, of my address, to answer broadly Afrika, fit in? There is no doubt as our people so aptly put it ukuthi questions pertaining to our stand in that with the liquidation of Western iyozala nkomoni (what creature will contemporary international politics, imperialism and colonialism in Asia, come forth). We are being wooed our relation to the states of Afrika, the Capitalist market has shrunk internationally at a time when in South both independent and dependent, considerably. As a result, Afrika has Africa the naked forces of savage our attitude to the entire nationalist become the happy-hunting ground of Herrenvolkism are running riot; when movement in Afrika, our stand on adventuristic capital. There is again a determined effort is being made to the question of Race in general and a scramble for Afrika and both the annihilate the African people through the so-called racial question in South Soviet Union and the United States of systematic starvation; at a time when Africa. Finally, I hope to outline briefly America are trying to win the loyalty brutal attempts are being made to our ultimate objectives. of the African States. Afrika is being retard, dwarf and stunt the mental wooed with more ardour than she has development of a whole people INTERNATIONAL SCENE ever been. through organised “miseducation;” We are living today. Sons and There is a lot of flirting going on, at a time when thousands of our Daughters of the Soil, fighters in the of course, some Africans [are] flirting people roam the streets in search of cause of African freedom, we are with the Soviet camp, and others work and are being told by the foreign living today in an era that is pregnant with the American camp. In some ruler to go back to a “home’’ which with untold possibilities for both good cases the courtship has reached a he has assigned them, whether that and evil. In the course of the past two stage where the parties are going means the breakup of their families years we have seen man breaking out together; and they probably hold or not; at a time when the distinctive assunder, with dramatic suddenness, hands in the dark but nowhere has it badge of slavery and humiliation, the the chains that have bound his mind, yet reached a stage where the parties “dom pass” is being extended from solving problems which for ages can kiss in public without blushing. the African male dog to the African it has been regarded as sacrilege This wooing occurs at a time when the female bitch. even to attempt to solve. However, whole continent of Afrika is in labour, It is at this time, when fascist tyranny in spite of all these rapid advances suffering the pangs of a new birth and has reached its zenith in South Afrika, 14 that Afrika’s loyalty is being competed Africans must affect Africans living in for. And the question is, what is our other parts.” We honour Ghana as “Let me plead with answer? Our answer, Mr. Speaker and the first independent state in modern you, lovers of my children of the Soil, has been given by Afrika which, under the courageous Afrika, to carry with the African leaders of the continent. nationalist leadership of Dr. Nkrumah you into the world the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah has repeatedly and the Convention People’s Party, vision of a new Afrika, stated that in international affairs, has actively interested itself in the an Afrika reborn, an Afrika wishes to pursue a policy of liberation of the whole continent from Afrika rejuvenated, positive neutrality, allying herself to White domination, and has held out an Afrika re-created, a neither of the existing blocs but, in the vision of a democratic United young Africa.” the words of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of States of Afrika. We regard it as the Robert Sobukwe Nigeria, remaining “independent in all sacred duty of every African state to things but neutral in none that affect strive ceaselessly and energetically the destiny of Afrika.” Mr. Tom Mboya for the creation of a United States of the lasting peace of Afrika and the of Kenya has expressed himself more Afrika, stretching from Cape to Cairo, solution of the economic, social and forthrightly, declaring that it is not the Morocco to Madagascar. The days political problems of the continent, intention of African states to change of small, independent countries are there needs be a democratic one master (western imperialism) for gone. Today we have, on the one principle. This means that White another (Soviet hegemony). hand, great powerful countries of the supremacy, under whatever guise it We endorse the views of the African world; America and Russia cover huge manifests itself, must be destroyed. leaders on this point. But we must tracts of land territorially and number And that is what the nationalists on point out that we are not blind to the hundreds of millions in population. the continent are setting out to do. fact that the countries which pursue a On the other hand the small weak They all are agreed that the African policy of planned state economy have independent countries of Europe are majority must rule. In the African outstripped, in industrial development, beginning to realise that for their own context, it is the overwhelming African those that follow the path of private survival they have to form military and majority that will mould and shape enterprise. Today, China is industrially economic federations, hence NATO the content of democracy. Allow me far ahead of India. Unfortunately, and the European market. Beside to quote Dr. DuBois, the father of however, this rapid industrial the sense of a common historical fate Pan Africanism: “Most men in the development has been accompanied that we share with the other countries world,” writes Dubois, “are coloured. in all cases by a rigid totalitarianism of Afrika, it is imperative, for purely A belief in humanity means a belief in notwithstanding Mao Tse Tung’s practical reasons that the whole of coloured men. The future of the world “Hundred Flowers” announcement. Afrika be united into a single unit, will, in all reasonable possibility, be Africanists reject totalitarianism in any centrally controlled. what coloured men make it.” As for form and accept political democracy Only in that way can we solve the the world, so for Afrika. The future of as understood in the west. We also immense problems that face the Africa will be what Africans make it. reject the economic exploitation of continent people. the many for the benefit of a few. THE RACE QUESTION We accept as policy the equitable NATIONAL MOVEMENTS IN AFRIKA And now for the thorny questions of distribution of wealth aiming, as far as It is for the reasons stated above race. I do not wish to give a lengthy and I am concerned, to equality of income that we admire, bless and identify learned dissertation on Race. Suffice which to me is the only basis on which ourselves with the entire nationalist it to say that even those scientists the slogan of “equal opportunities” movements in Afrika. They are the who do recognise the existence of can be founded. Borrowing then the core, the basic units, the individual separate races, have to admit that best from the East and the best from cells of that large organism envisaged, there are border line cases which will the West we nonetheless retain and namely, the United States of Afrika; a not fit into any of the three Races of maintain our distinctive personality union of free, sovereign independent mankind. All scientists agree that all and refuse to be the satraps or democratic states of Afrika. For men can trace their ancestry back to stooges of either power block. the first Homo Sapiens, that man is distinguished from other mammals RELATIONS TO STATES IN AFRIKA “I am one with Mother and also from earlier types of man by Our relation to the States in Afrika Africa’s darkest soils. I the nature of his intelligence. may be stated precisely and briefly by am Africa’s own child. The structure of the body of man quoting from George Padmore’s book, My heart yearns for the provides evidence to prove the “Pan Africanism or Communism.” glory of Africa that is gone. biological unity of the human species. Discussing the future of Afrika, However, I shall work for All scientists agree that there is no Padmore observes that “there is a the future Africa, free and “race” that is superior to another, and there is no “race” that is inferior to growing feeling among politically great among the nations of conscious Africans throughout the others. The Africanists take the view the world.” continent that their destiny is one; that that there is only one race to which Anton Lembede what happens in one part of Afrika to we all belong, and that is the human 15 race. In our vocabulary therefore, the municipal council. I do not wish to particular, who have become tainted word “race” as applied to man, has belabour this point. Time is precious. with the virus of cultural supremacy no plural form. We do, however, admit Let me close discussion of this and national arrogance. This class the existence of observable physical topic by declaring, on behalf of the identifies itself by and large with the differences between various groups Africanists, that with UNESCO we oppressor but, significantly, this is the of people, but these differences are hold that “every man is his brother’s group, which provides the political the result of a number of factors, chief keeper. For every man is a piece of leadership of the Indian people in among which has been geographical the continent, a part of the main, South Africa. And all that the politics isolation. because he is involved in mankind.” of this class have meant up to now In Afrika the myth of race has is preservation and defence of the been propounded and propagated IN SOUTH AFRIKA sectional interests of the Indian by the imperialists and colonialists In South Africa we recognise the merchant class. The down-trodden, from Europe, in order to facilitate and existence of national groups, which poor “stinking coolies” of Natal who, justify their inhuman exploitation of the are the result of geographical origin alone, as a result of the pressure indigenous people of the land. It is from within a certain area as well as a of material conditions, can identify this myth of race with its attendant shared historical experience of these themselves with the indigenous claims of cultural superiority that the groups. The Europeans are a foreign African majority in the struggle to doctrine of white supremacy stems. minority group, which has exclusive overthrow White supremacy, have Thus it is that an ex-engine driver can control of political, economic, not yet produced their leadership. We think of himself as fully qualified to social and military power. It is the hope they will do so soon. be the head of the government of an dominant group. It is the exploiting The Africans constitute the African state, but refuse to believe that group, responsible for the pernicious indigenous group and form the a highly educated black doctor, more doctrine of White Supremacy, which majority of the population. They are familiar with Western culture than the has resulted in the humiliation, and the most ruthlessly exploited and are White premier is, cannot even run a degradation of the indigenous African subjected to humiliation, degradation people. It is this group which has and insult. Now it is our contention dispossessed the African people of that true democracy can be their land and with arrogant conceit established in South Africa and on the has set itself up as the “guardians,” continent as a whole, only when White the “trustees” of the Africans. It is this supremacy has been destroyed. And group which conceives of the African the illiterate and semi-literate African people as a child nation, composed masses constitute the key and centre of Boys and Girls, ranging in age from and content of any struggle for true 120 years to one day. It is this group democracy in South Africa. And the which, after 300 years, can still state African people can be organised only with brazen effrontery that the Native, under the banner of African nationalism the Bantu, the Kaffir is still backward in an All-African Organisation where and savage etc. But they still want to they will by themselves formulate remain “guardians,” “trustees,” and policies and programmes and decide what have you, of the African on the methods of struggle without In short, it is this group which has interference from either so-called mismanaged affairs in South Africa just left-wing or right-wing groups of the as their kith and kin are mismanaging minorities who arrogantly appropriate affairs in Europe. It is from this group to themselves the right to plan and that the most rabid race baiters and think for the Africans. agitators come. It is members of this We wish to emphasise that the group who, whenever they meet in freedom of the African means the their Parliament, say things, which freedom of all in South Africa, the agitate the hearts of millions of peace- European included, because only loving Africans. This is the group, the African can guarantee the which turns out thousands of experts establishment of a genuine democracy on that new South African Science the Native mind. Then there is the Indian foreign “…we are anti-nobody. minority group. This group came We are pro-Afrika. to this country not as imperialists We breathe, we dream, or colonialists, but as indentured we live Afrika; because labourers. In the South African set-up Afrika and humanity of today, this group is an oppressed are inseparable.” minority. But there are some members Robert Sobukwe, Founder of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) Founder of the Pan Robert Sobukwe, Robert Sobukwe of this group, the merchant class in 16 in which all men will be citizens of a common state and will live and be “…a revolution has begun in Africa. It is a revolution governed as individuals and not as which we hope to control and channel so that our lives distinctive sectional groups. are transformed. It is a revolution with a purpose, OUR ULTIMATE GOALS and that purpose is the extension to all African In conclusion, I wish to state that the citizens of the requirements of human dignity.” Africanists do not at all subscribe to the fashionable doctrine of South African Julius Nyerere exceptionalism. Our contention is that South Africa is an integral part of the indivisible whole that is Afrika. She Further, multi-racialism is in fact We guarantee no minority rights, cannot solve her problems in isolation a pandering to European bigotry because we think in terms of from and with utter disregard of the and arrogance. It is a method of individuals, not groups. Economically rest of the continent. It is precisely safeguarding white interests, implying we aim at the rapid extension of for that reason that we reject both as it does, proportional representation industrial development in order to apartheid and so-called multi- irrespective of population figures. In alleviate pressure on the land, which racialism as solutions of our socio- that sense it is a complete negation is what progress means in terms of economic problems. of democracy. modem society. We stand committed Apart from the number of reasons To us the term “multi-racialism” to a policy guaranteeing the most and arguments that can be advanced implies that there are such basic equitable distribution of wealth. Socially against apartheid, we take our stand insuperable differences between the we aim at the full development of the on the principle that Afrika is one various national groups here that human personality and a ruthless and desires to be one and nobody, the best course is to keep them uprooting and outlawing of all forms or I repeat, nobody has the right to permanently distinctive in a kind of manifestations of the racial myth. balkanise our land. democratic apartheid. That to us is To sum it up we stand for an Against multi-racialism we have racialism multiplied, which probably Africanist Socialist Democracy. Here is this objection, that the history of is what the term truly connotes. We a tree rooted in African soil, nourished South Africa has fostered group aim, politically, at government of with waters from the rivers of Afrika. prejudices and antagonisms, and if the Africans by the Africans, for the Come and sit under its shade and we have to maintain the same group Africans, with everybody who owes become, with us, the leaves of the exclusiveness, parading under the his only loyalty to Afrika and who is same branch and the branches of term of multi-racialism, we shall be prepared to accept the democratic the same tree. Sons and Daughters transporting to the new Afrika these rule of an African majority being of Afrika, I declare this inaugural very antagonisms and conflicts. regarded as an African. convention of the Africanists open.

This Speech was Retrieved from South African History Online at http://www. sahistory.org.za/archive/robert-sobukwe-inaugural-speech-april-1959 “Africa must change; The spelling and grammar has been left as found. change from an area where people eke out an existence and adapt themselves to their environment, to a continent, which challenges the environment and adapts it to man’s need. Africa must change her institutions to make feasible her new aspirations; her people must change their attitudes and practices to accord with the objectives. And these changes must be positive, they must be initiated and shaped by Africa and not simply be a reaction to events which affect Africa.” Julius Nyerere Pan Africanist Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Pan 17 Négritude, Africa and Black History A speech made at the Hemispheric Conference of Black People of the Diaspora, Miami, 1987. Translated by Patrick Bolland By Aimé Césaire

égritude, a necessary revolt One sees and has too often seen the against the European feeling consequences of this: cutting man off Nof superiority. Négritude, a from himself, cutting him off from his necessary revolt against the European roots, from the universe, from humanity feeling of superiority. Négritude is the and isolating him, once and for all, in result of an active and attitude of the a suicidal pride, if not in a rational and mind on the offense. scientific form of barbarism. But, you It is a summersault, a summersault will tell me, a revolt which is only a of dignity. It is a refusal, and I mean a revolt can only be a historical dead- refusal of oppression. end. If Négritude has not been a dead- It is a struggle, that is to say, a struggle end, it is because it led to another against inequality. It is also a revolt. But direction. Where has it led us? It led a revolt against what? - I hear you ask. us to ourselves and in the process, AIMÉ CÉSAIRE (1913 – 2008) I am not forgetting that I am here at a after a long period of frustration, we, cultural conference, here in Miami, that ourselves, were able to seize our own I choose to say this. I think one can past and, through poetry, through our Born in Martinique in the generally say that, historically, Négritude imagination, through novels, through Caribbean, the poet, playwrite has been a form of revolt, mainly against works of art, perceive the intermittent and politician, Aime Cesaire the global cultural system as it had flashes of our own possible future. developed the concept of been constituted during the last several An earthquake of concepts, a Negritude in Paris in the centuries, a system characterised cultural seismic phenomenon, all the 1930s. Cesiare explained that by a certain number of prejudices, metaphors of isolation are possible “the problem of black culture of assumptions which generate a here. But the essential is that with cannot be posed without very strict hierarchy. In other words, Négritude, there was a beginning of simultaneously posing the Négritude has been a revolt against the rehabilitation of our values by our problem of colonialism” which what I shall call European reductionism. own selves, of the deepening of our has disrupted the history of I am referring to the system of thought, past by our selves, of a re-rooting of Africa, destroyed the African or rather the instinctive tendency of an ourselves in a history, a geography, Economy and brainwashed eminent and prestigious civilization, to a culture, all interpreted not as an Africans all over the world into abuse its very prestige to isolate itself, backward-looking accent on the accepting the idea that they as Léopold Sédar Senghor would say, past, but as a reactivation of the past were inferior. by reducing the concept of universality in order to overtake it. to its own dimensions; in other words, Literature? – you ask. Intellectual through its own categories. speculation? Definitely. But neither the literature or intellectual speculation are avatars and sometimes disillusionment; innocent or inoffensive. And therefore, you’d have to be blind to the history of “The European should realise when I think of the independence humanity, the history of the emergence that there is something to gained by African nations in the 1960s, of European nations themselves, as learn from the African when I think of that great surge of faith recently as the 19th century, in Europe and a great deal about him and aspirations which seized a whole and elsewhere, to fail to understand that to understand, and that continent at the time — it’s true, I think Africa, as well, had to pay its tribute, the burden could be made of Négritude, since I think that Négritude its debts at the time of such massive easier if a policy of give played a role, and perhaps a capital role, change. But this isn’t the essential point. and take could be adopted. a role of ferment and of cataclysm. What is essential is that Africa has turned We may mention here that This reconquest of Africa itself has the page on colonialism and, in turning the African who is being not been easy, the exercise of newly- it, has contributed to inaugurating a new civilised looks upon this gained independence brought on many era for the whole of humanity. “civilisation” with great fear mingled with suspicion. Excerpt from Aimé Césaire’s speech on Négritude from Discours sur le Above all, he finds that colonialisme, Éditions Présence africaine, published in English as “Discourse socially and religiously he has been torn away from on Colonialism”, Monthly Review Press 2000 (orig. 1950). his family and tribal organisation.” Retrieved from http://www.humaniteinenglish.com/spip.php?article898 Jomo Kenyatta Spelling and Grammar has been left as found. 18

February 14, THE African REVOLUTION 1965 By Malcolm X

States’ interests are involved in MALCOLM X blocking this, yes! Some of these (1925 – 1965) liberals who grin in your face like they’re your best friends, they have As the most influential leader of the Black money tied up in the Congo. Some of Power Movement in the United States of the most powerful political figures in America, Malcolm X had an impact in many this country, come up and governors African leaders’ thinking, including Steve Biko. over states, have got interests in the Malcolm X strongly urged blacks to be proud Congo, and got interests in South of their heritage and their African roots. He also Africa, and got interests all over the argued that black people in America should African continent, and go there! And seize freedom “by any means possible.” as the Africans awaken and realize, Malcolm X opposed racial integration. Instead, it makes them full of the incentive he promoted the idea of black separation, to never rest until that exploiter is believing that blacks needed to be self-reliant. driven out. So, now what effect does this have on us? Why should the black man in America concern himself with this istinguished guests, brothers frightening black people any longer. since he’s been away from the African and sisters, ladies and gentle- That’s all. And when we say this, continent for three or four hundred Dmen, friends and enemies: the press calls us “racist in reverse.” years. What impact does what The newly awakened people all over When you begin to start thinking for happens to them have upon us? First the world pose a problem for what is yourself, you frighten them, and they you have to realize that up until 1959 known as Western interests, which try and block your getting to the Africa was dominated by the colonial is imperialism, colonialism, racism, public, for fear that if the public listens powers. And by the colonial powers and all these other negative isms or to you, then the public won’t listen to of Europe having complete control vulturistic isms. So the first thing to do them anymore. over Africa, they projected the image is to unite our people, not only unite But still, I wouldn’t judge them just of Africa negatively. They projected us internally, but we have to be united because they’re white, or they’d call Africa always in a negative light: with our brothers and sisters abroad. me a racist. I’m judging by their deeds, jungles, savages, cannibals, nothing As Afro-Americans or black people by their conscious behavior – and you civilized. Why then naturally it was so here in the Western Hemisphere, you know how they’ve been consciously negative that it was negative to you and I have to learn to weigh things for behaving in the Congo, and how they and me, and you and I began to hate ourselves. No matter what the white consciously behave in Vietnam, and it. We didn’t want anybody telling us man says, you better look into it. how they consciously behave right now anything about Africa, much less This is a society whose government in Alabama and Mississippi. So you calling us Africans. In hating Africa does not hesitate to inflict the most and I got to get conscious, and start and in hating the Africans, we ended brutal form of punishment and behaving in a way that we can offset up hating ourselves, without even oppression upon dark-skinned people this thing before it’s too late -- and this realizing it. Because you can’t hate all over the world. They are violent is what they don’t want to hear. the roots of a tree and not hate the when their interests are at stake. But So on the African continent, tree. You can’t hate your origin and all of that violence that they display at Africans are training so they can not end up hating yourself. You can’t the international level, when you and I invade one of these countries, and hate Africa and not hate yourself. want just a little bit of freedom, we’re take it over, and give it back to You show me one of these people supposed to be nonviolent. They’re the rightful people. And the United over here who have been thoroughly violent. They’re violent in Korea, they’re violent in Germany, they’re violent in the South Pacific, they’re violent in Cuba, they’re violent wherever they “The regeneration of Africa means that a new and go. But when it comes time for you unique civilization is soon to be added to the world. and me to protect ourselves against The African is not a proletarian in the world of science lynchings, they tell us to be nonviolent. and art. He has precious creations of his own, of ivory, Now, I say it is time for black people of copper and of gold, fine, plated willow-ware and to put together the type of action, weapons of superior workmanship.” the unity, that is necessary to pull the Pixey ka Isaka Seme sheet off of them so they won’t be 19

black man to show us the way, or terms of doing things for ourselves “Watch our movements black people to show us the way. In because we felt helpless. What keenly and if you see any those days we didn’t. We didn’t think made us feel helpless was our hatred signs of “broad-mindedness” a black man could do anything but for ourselves. And our hatred for or “reasonableness” in us, or if play some horn, some sounds and ourselves stemmed from our hatred you hear us talk of practical make you happy with some songs of things African. experience as a modifier of and in that way. But in serious things, I point these things out, brothers man’s views, denounce us as where our food, clothing, and shelter and sisters, so that you and I will traitors to Africa.” was concerned and our education know the importance in 1963 of being Robert Sobukwe was concerned, we turned to the in complete unity with each other, in man. We never thought in terms of harmony with each other, and not bringing these things into existence letting the man manoeuvre us into brainwashed, who has a negative for ourselves, we never thought in fighting one another. attitude toward Africa, and I’ll show you one that has a negative attitude This is an excerpt from a speech that was delivered at Ford Auditorium, 1965. toward himself. You can’t have a Listen to the full speech online at http://www.malcolm-x.org/speeches/ positive attitude toward yourself and a spc_021465.htm negative attitude toward Africa at the same time. To the same degree that your understanding of and attitude toward Africa becomes positive, you’ll find that your understanding of and your attitude toward yourself will also become positive. And this is what the white man knows. So they very skilfully made you and me hate our African identity, our African characteristics. We have been a people who hated our African characteristics. We hated our hair, we hated the shape of our nose. We wanted one of those long, dog-like noses, you know. We hated the colour of our skin, hated the blood of Africa that was in our veins. And in hating our features and our skin and our blood, we had to end up hating ourselves. And we hated ourselves. Our colour became to us a chain. We felt that it was holding us back. Our colour became to us like a prison, which we felt was keeping us confined, not letting us go this way or that way. We felt that all of these restrictions were based solely upon our colour. And the psychological reaction to that would have to be that as long as we felt imprisoned or chained or trapped by black skin, black features, and black blood, that skin and those features and that blood that was holding us back automatically had to become hateful to us. And it became hateful to us. It made us feel inferior; it made us feel inadequate; it made us feel helpless. And when we fell victim to this feeling of inadequacy or inferiority or helplessness, we turned to somebody else to show us the way. Malcolm X Black Power Movement leader,

We didn’t have confidence in another Image Courtesy of Rex TopFoto 20

Acknowledgements Disclaimer The Steve Biko Foundation The Foundation also thanks the The views expressed in this Journal thanks all those who have made Open Society Foundation for are solely those of the authors in contributions to this issue of the South Africa for their generous their private capacities and do not FrankTalk Journal. financial support of the FrankTalk in any way represent the views of initiative and for making this the Steve Biko Foundation. publication possible.

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‘Cause we’re moving right out of Babylon And we’re going to our Father’s land. AFRICA Unite How good and how pleasant it would be before God and man To see the unification of all Africans As it’s been said already, let it be done We are the children of the Rastaman; We are the children of the Iyaman.

So Africa unite ‘Cause the children wanna come home. Africa unite ‘Cause we’re moving right out of Babylon And we’re grooving to our Father’s land

Africa unite, Unite for the benefit for the benefit of your people! Unite for it’s later than you think! Unite for the benefit of my children! Unite for it’s later than you think! Africa awaits its creator! Africa awaiting its creator! Africa, you’re my forefather cornerstone! Unite for the Africans abroad! Bob Marley Unite for the Africans a yard!