African Union will see the dawning of a brighter day

During the week beginning July 8, Africa's political leadership will transform the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union. This will mark an important step forward towards the realisation of the dream of the millions of our people for African unity.

At the same time, the days ahead of us must be days of celebration. These must be festival days during which we rejoice in our continued advance towards the renaissance of Africa.

We are privileged that South Africa and the city of Durban will host this epoch-making occasion. We take this opportunity warmly to welcome our distinguished guests, the Heads of State and Government, Ministers and senior officials of the countries of Africa.

We are also pleased to welcome the distinguished guests of the OAU/AU who will be in Durban, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan, former African Heads of State and Government and people from outside Africa.

The city of Durban and the people of KwaZulu-Natal will also do everything in their power to make our guests feel at home. These South Africans will have the rare privilege to participate in public events marking the launch of the AU.

The African National Congress also feels especially honoured that the OAU holds its last Summit Meeting and the AU its first, in our country, during the year of the 90th anniversary of the ANC.

This is of particular historical and symbolic importance for us. The ANC was the first national liberation movement in Africa. South Africa was the last country on our continent to be liberated from the yoke of colonial and white minority domination.

Even before the ANC was formed, the South African patriots of the time stood for the liberation of our continent as a whole, and not just their country. The solemn anthem this first African liberation movement adopted proudly proclaimed - Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika! God bless Africa!

One hundred and ten years ago, in 1892, one of the founders of the ANC, Rev John Langalibalele Dube, a child of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, who lies buried in the city of the launch of the AU, Durban, published a pamphlet entitled "A Talk Upon My Native Land".

Among other things he said: "Oh! How I long for that day, when the darkness and gloom shall have passed away, because the 'Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His hand'. This shall be the dawning of a brighter day for the people of Africa. Then shall Africa take her place as a nation among the nations: then shall her sons and daughters sing aloud: 'Let us arise and shine, for our light has come. The glory of the Lord has risen upon us'."

In 1906, six years before the ANC was formed, yet another founder of the ANC and also a child of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, said: "I am an African, and I set my pride in my race over against a hostile public opinion. The brighter day is rising upon Africa. Already I seem to see her chains dissolved, her desert plains red with harvest, her Abyssinia and Zululand the seats of science and religion, reflecting the glory of the rising sun from the spires of their churches and universities. Her Congo and her Gambia whitened with commerce, her crowned cities sending forth the hum of business, and all her sons employed in advancing the victories of peace, greater and more abiding than the spoils of war. Yes, the regeneration of Africa belongs to this new and powerful period. The regeneration of Africa means that a new and unique civilisation is soon to be added to the world. The most essential departure of this new civilisation is that it will be thoroughly spiritual and humanistic - indeed a regeneration moral and eternal!"

For us the brighter day of which Dr Seme spoke did not dawn until 1994. The Durban Summit will give us the opportunity once again to extend our gratitude to our African brothers and sisters for everything they did to ensure that we achieve our liberation.

As we welcome them to our country, we will recognise the fact that we welcome fellow combatants for our victory over the apartheid crime against humanity. We welcome them to their African home of liberty, democracy and non-racism.

In this regard, we must pay full and due tribute to the outgoing Organisation of African Unity. The OAU discharged its obligations to ensure that the African continent contributes to the achievement of the goal to which it was committed from its foundation. This was the completion of the process of the final liquidation of colonialism and white minority rule in Africa.

In that sense, what we will witness in Durban during the next few days is not the death of the OAU, but its rebirth as the AU. What we will witness is not a burial of the achievements of the OAU.

We will see the use of these historic African gains as the necessary foundation without which it would not be possible to achieve the objectives of the AU, as spelt out in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. The launch of the AU will also be made possible by the adoption of recommendations made by the constitutional structures to the OAU to the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The ANC is very pleased that it has been granted the possibility to salute the OAU and the peoples of our continent as their representatives are in our country. We will continue to celebrate the OAU in future as an important ally in our struggle for liberation. Its selfless commitment to our cause and the aspirations of the peoples of Africa enabled us to reaffirm what Pixley Seme said.

Ninety years after he spoke of the regeneration of Africa, we too were able to say - "I am an African, and I set my pride in my race over against a hostile public opinion. The brighter day is rising upon Africa."

Ours is a people steeped in the arts. The creative instinct is deeply embedded within the souls of all our people, both black and white. The arts are an integral part of our making as a people and not merely a preserve of a specialised group of people designated as artists.

Humour, music and other forms of artistic expression enabled us to maintain our humanity and identity during a destructive period of more than three centuries of colonial and white minority oppression. Because their originality and vibrancy could not be denied, these gave the peoples of Africa the possibility to sustain John Dube's vision that Africa would take her place as a nation among the nations. This was even as superior repressive force condemned her to a position of subservience.

It is therefore of great importance that some of the greatest practitioners of the art of music, and other arts, among us, will use their skills both to welcome our guests and celebrate the birth of the African Union. We must thank these outstanding South African artists and commend to our guests the gift of love, solidarity and unity represented by the offerings of our leaders in the arts.

At the end of the deliberations in Durban, hopefully Africa's leaders will have launched the AU. Hopefully, they will have taken all the necessary decisions that will make it possible for our continent to move more decisively towards the achievement of the objectives stated in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

These include greater unity and solidarity among our countries and peoples; peace, security, stability, democracy, human rights, good governance and popular participation; economic, scientific, technological and cultural development; higher living standards, the eradication poverty and social justice; gender equality; and ensuring that Africa takes her rightful place among the peoples and continents of our common universe.

At the end of the proceedings in Durban, it must be possible that throughout our continent, we must be able truthfully to say that the dreams of John Langalibalele Dube and Pixley ka Isaka Seme have come closer to fruition.

We must be able to say, as the Rev Dube predicted, 'the glory of the Lord has risen upon us'. We must be able to proclaim that the Durban Summit Meeting of the African Union has given Africa the possibility to transform into reality what Dr Seme said, that 'the regeneration of Africa means that a new and unique civilisation is soon to be added to the world'.

Given where Africa is today, and where she has been in the past, we understand that it will take time for our continent to realise the AU and NEPAD objectives. We know that the achievement of the aims that Dube and Seme set will require a sustained and focussed effort.

However, Durban must create the ways and means and provide the possibility for the peoples of Africa to build the new world for themselves 'when the darkness and gloom shall have passed away', as Dube said.

To achieve these objectives, and therefore give hope to the hundreds of millions of Africans who necessarily carry the deep scars of centuries of the humiliation of the peoples of Africa, today's leaders of these masses will have to convince themselves that they have to exercise their stewardship in a new way.

They will have to reaffirm in action that their first and foremost compact is with the masses of the peoples of Africa, to serve their interests. They will have to reaffirm in action that they remain accountable to the people they represent, both within their countries and in the rest of our continent.

Their actions will have to state, practically, that they understand and accept that the African dream of our founding fathers, such as Dube and Seme, is immeasurably more important than any personal ambitions and agendas they may harbour and pursue.

They will have to reaffirm in action that they will honour their commitments to all agreements they enter into, both domestic and external. They will have to reaffirm in action that they will act consistently to implement the decisions they will take in Durban and have taken before.

Above everything else, in the next few days, Durban will represent the unique point of concentration of the hopes of the ordinary peoples of Africa for peace, democracy, prosperity and human dignity. It is from this tiny spot on the African and global universe that these masses expect again to hear the voice of John Langalibalele Dube, proclaiming that 'our light has come!'

NEPAD Series II

Closing the gap between Africa and the developed world

Building roads and railway lines, installing power lines and telephones, lowering the cost of drugs, and increasing spending on schooling are among the actions planned to bridge the divide between Africa and the developed world.

These 'Sectoral Priorities' constitute the second of three main areas covered in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The other two areas are 'Conditions for Sustainable Development' and 'Mobilising Resources'.

The NEPAD strategy has been the focus of much attention over the last week as African ministers have been meeting in South Africa to prepare for the formal launch next week of the African Union. Adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in July 2001, the strategy was endorsed last week by the leaders of the G8 nations.

Infrastructure

The strategy identifies infrastructure as a central component of economic growth and social development. The strategy therefore looks at the development of roads, highways, airports, harbours, railways, waterways and telecommunications facilities on a continent-wide and sub-regional level.

NEPAD aims to substantially increase investment in building, refurbishing and maintaining infrastructure on the continent. Participating countries will work with the African Development Bank and other development finance institutions to mobilise sustainable financing. They will promote public-private partnerships to attract private investment, while focusing public funding on the pressing needs of the poor.

Special emphasis will be placed on developing training institutions which can produce technicians and engineers highly-skilled in all infrastructure sectors. Countries will also work to achieve better harmonisation of policy and regulatory frameworks to make cross-border cooperation easier.

Within this broad programme, specific actions will be taken to improve Africa's access to, and use of, information and communications technology (ICT). These will aim to double the number of telephones in Africa by 2005, lower the cost and improve the quality of phone services, and develop a pool of ICT-proficient youth and students from which Africa can draw trainee ICT engineers, programmers and software developers.

Regional agencies like the African Telecommunications Union and Africa Connection will be called on to design model policy and legislation for telecommunications reform and to assist with building regulatory capacity. A network of training and research institutions will be developed to build skills, and existing projects to connect schools and youth centres will be accelerated.

NEPAD aims to increase access to reliable and affordable energy supplies, to increase the use of hydro-power and to integrate electricity grids and gas pipelines to facilitate cross-border energy flows. It will establish a task force to recommend regional projects, and a task team to accelerate the extension of energy supply to low-income housing.

The plan will work to reduce delays in the cross-border movement of people and goods by improving and harmonising customs and immigration procedures. It will also improve land transport linkages and increase air passenger and freight linkages across Africa's sub-regions.

The supply of clean water and sanitation, to the poor in particular, is also an objective of the infrastructure initiative. It will include closer cooperation on the management of water resources and shared rivers among members states, and the establishment of task team to find ways to reduce the negative impact of climate change in Africa.

People

Investment in Africa's people is one of NEPAD's chief strategies to stimulate growth while improving the lives of the continent's poor. The Human Resource Development Initiative looks specifically at poverty reduction, developing skills (and keeping them in Africa), and improving the health of the continent's people.

Participating countries will work with donors and multilateral institutions to achieve universal primary education by 2015, and expand access to secondary education. They will review levels of expenditure on education on the continent, and develop norms and standards as a guide to government expenditure. A task force will be set up to accelerate the introduction of ICT in primary schools.

The plan supports the immediate strengthening of the university system across Africa, including the creation of specialised universities and institutes of technology. Efforts will also be made to retain skills within the continent, as well as use the expertise of Africans living in developed countries for some NEPAD projects.

The health of Africa's people has a direct bearing on quality of life, productivity and economic growth. NEPAD will strengthen efforts to make medicine affordable, and mobilise resources to build secure health systems. It will lead the campaign for increased international financial support for the struggle against HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.

NEPAD will encourage African countries to increase their health spending in a phased manner. At the same time, it will join forces with the World Health Organisation and donors to ensure support for the continent is increased by at least US$10 billion a year.

Agriculture and environment

As most Africans live in rural areas, support for higher agricultural productivity must form part of any recovery plan for the continent. NEPAD calls for substantial increases in support to the agricultural sector from donors to reverse a decline donor assistance to rural areas over the last two decades. Governments must provide irrigation equipment and infrastructure and develop arable land when others are not prepared to.

NEPAD will also make interventions to prevent 'desertification', conserve wetlands, control invasive alien plants, manage the continent's coastal resources, and regulate the impact of global warming. It will support initiatives to develop cross-border conservation areas, and improve environmental governance.

Culture and science

NEPAD will give special attention to protecting and nurturing indigenous knowledge through appropriate legislation. Such knowledge includes tradition-based literacy, artistic and scientific works, inventions, discoveries, designs and symbols.

At the same time, it will aim to develop the continent's technological expertise through cross-border cooperation and connectivity. It will establish regional cooperation on product standards, cross-border staff exchanges and training programmes, and develop schemes to assist displaced African scientists and researchers.

More Information

• New Partnership for Africa's Development
• African Union Summit 2002

SOMAFCO

The bridge between South Africa and Tanzania

While Africa's leaders meet in Durban to launch the African Union, the African National Congress will mark the 10th anniversary, on 9 July, of the handing over of the ANC settlements of Mazimbu and Dakawa to the Tanzanian government.

Developed from the late 1970s on land donated by the Tanzanian government, these two settlements served as home to South African exiles. The two settlements stand as a reminder of Tanzania's support for the struggle against apartheid - and to this day provide a bridge between the peoples of these two African countries.

Tanzania was home to ANC exiles during the 1960s when the movement's headquarters was based in Morogoro, before moving to Zambia. The first MK guerrillas were trained in Tanzania, prior to the transfer of military training to Angola in the 1970s.

The period from 1978 to 1992 saw the development of the settlements of Mazimbu and Dakawa near Morogoro. The central institution set up by the ANC was the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (Somafco) and an array of supporting facilities, including the Ruth First Education Orientation Centre, the Dakawa Vocational Training Centre, the Dakawa Arts Centre, two libraries, two primary and nursery schools, day care centres, boarding accommodation, youth centres and sports fields.

There was also a 16-bed hospital, two clinics, two farms and small industries for furniture, clothing and leather production. The two settlements had an infrastructure of running water, electricity, sewage disposal and a road network.

On 9 July 1992, when the late ANC President Oliver Tambo handed over the two settlements to then President Hassan Ali Mwinyi of Tanzania, he expressed the hope that the two settlements would remain as symbols of the friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Tanzania and South Africa. The value of the fixed and movable assets at the two settlements was estimated to be around US$ 600 million.

Mazimbu

Ten years later, both Mazimbu and Dakawa continue to be used as educational and training centres. Somafco, the main institution at Mazimbu, comprised divisions for secondary, primary, nursery and adult education.

The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), located in Morogoro, was mandated to use the physical facilities at Mazimbu but did not exercise full control until 2000. Thereafter, Mazimbu became the Solomon Mahlangu Campus of SUA.

Today, over 1500 students use the teaching, library, laboratory and accommodation facilities used by former Somafco students. The SUA has established links with four South African universities and it plans to extend these ties.

The large Mazimbu farm was highly productive both in terms of livestock and cultivation. However, soon after the handover in 1992, except for a small dairy unit, the farm closed due to the loss of most stock and equipment and the absence of experts and funds. Similarly, the Vuyisile Mini Furniture Factory ceased production a few years ago. A strategic plan is presently being implemented to revamp the furniture factory, the farm and the horticultural centre to generate income.

Dakawa

During the ANC tenure of Dakawa, an ambitious development plan was adopted in 1984 and partially completed by 1992. Completed were the Ruth First Education Orientation Centre, the Vocational Training Centre, the children's centre, two clinics and two villages, each comprising 80 housing units, communal halls and recreational facilities.

As from next year, it is envisaged that an autonomous agency will be set up to manage all activities and to run Dakawa as an integrated centre. The new agency will have the power to raise funds and generate its own income.

The former Ruth First Education Orientation Centre is now a co-ed secondary school, rated in 2001 as the sixth best among Tanzania's 124 secondary schools. Its intake is restricted to 205 boarders due to the shortage of accommodation. Dakawa also has a well-run nursery/primary school with 150 pupils.

Six trades are taught at the Dakawa Vocational Training Centre (VTC). Dakawa 's isolation does not allow day scholars to attend the VTC and the secondary school. The VTC receives only 60 percent of its costs from the state, the balance has to be raised through fees and the sale of items produced through training. Already, the leather and clothing workshops generate significant income.

Before 1992 the Dakawa farm had a large beef herd while sorghum and sunflower were cultivated. There are fewer cattle now and cultivation came to a standstill when the ANC left. The present Director of Dakawa, Syneda Haonga, has plans to expand educational provision and to revive the farm. Moreover, it is anticipated that development will continue according to the 1984 ANC Dakawa Development Plan, which envisages a cultural centre and, in addition to the two villages built by 1992, another eight villages, each comprising 80 housing units and communal facilities.

The South African Legacy

The high profile ANC leaders and the first MK recruits made their impact on Tanzanians during the 1960s and 1970s. The bond of solidarity that commenced then was consolidated by the thousands of mainly young exiles who inhabited Mazimbu and Dakawa between 1978 and 1992.

Bonding South Africa and Tanzania permanently are about 500 graves of exiles who died during the ANC's presence in Tanzania. Mazimbu and Dakawa have well maintained cemeteries, visited occasionally by relatives from South Africa. The South African High Commission in Dar es Salaam has assumed oversight of the cemeteries as national heritage sites.

It is encouraging that at Mazimbu and Dakawa there is continuity of learning, training and productive activity. Through these settlements, the South African liberation struggle has left a bridge for continued bilateral relations and friendship and solidarity between the two countries. More important was the spirit, resilience and determination of those with a quest for a free South Africa, who departed in 1992. As one official put it, "we Tanzanians have inherited the spirit of Somafco".

The Commissioner of Morogoro Region, Musa Nkhangaa, regards the handed-over facilities of Mazimbu and Dakawa as vital educational and productive resources for his region and the country as a whole. But, for him, more important were the intangible mutual benefits resulting from the interaction of Tanzanians and South African political exiles. He feels that the seeds of the concept of the African Renaissance were possibly sown through the interaction.

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