ANC Today --------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 2, No. 31, 2 - 8 August 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS WEEK: * Letter from the President: Great Lakes peace deal a rare gift of hope * Women's emancipation: Month of voluntary action with and for South African women * Women in the struggle I: Charlotte Maxeke: 'The mother of African freedom' --------------------------------------------------------------------- LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Great Lakes peace deal a rare gift of hope This week in Pretoria, the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Joseph Kabila and Paul Kagame, signed a Peace Agreement to end the military conflict between their two countries. One of the paragraphs in the Agreement states that "the Government of Rwanda reaffirms its readiness to withdraw from the territory of the DRC as soon as effective measures that address its security concerns, in particular the dismantling of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces, have been agreed to. Withdrawal should start simultaneously with the implementation of the measures, both of which will be verified by MONUC, JMC and the Third Party." Another says that "The Interahamwe and ex-FAR armed groups fled to various countries, including the DRC, after participating in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The DRC Government states that it does not wish to have these armed groups present in the territory of the DRC. The DRC Government does not want its territory to be used as a base for attacks against its neighbouring countries." The second document signed by the two Presidents was the Programme of Implementation of the Agreement. Among other things, this document says: "The Third Party, defined in the main agreement as the Secretary General of the United Nations and South Africa, in its dual capacity as Chairperson of the African Union and as facilitator, will throughout the process of implementing the programme as agreed to by the parties, take authority over the management of the programme." The decision to constitute the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union as the Third Party referred to in the preceding paragraph, was taken at a meeting during the Durban AU Summit. The Presidents of both Rwanda and the DRC requested this. The Programme of Implementation covers a period of 90 days. The observation has correctly been made that given the tasks that have to be accomplished, this period is relatively short. This indicates the pressure on everybody concerned, including the Third Party, to keep to the targets set in the Programme of Implementation. Despite this, the critical point to make about this relatively short period is that it demonstrates the resolve of the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda to move forward speedily to end the conflict between their two countries and contribute to peace in the Great Lakes region as a whole. As a member of the Third Party, we have a responsibility to do everything necessary to ensure the achievement of the targets set out in the Programme of Implementation. We cannot afford the result that we are seen, in any way, as having contributed to the slowing down of the peace process in the DRC, Rwanda and the rest of the Great Lakes region. It is clear that ending the conflict in the DRC will have immediate implications for the peace process in Burundi. This means that we must work hard to ensure movement forward with regard both to Rwanda and the DRC as well as Burundi. This is emphasised by the fact that we are directly involved in the Burundi negotiations focused on securing a cease-fire between the rebel armed groups and the transitional government of Burundi. Of great importance with regard to all these matters is that, whatever the problems, all indications suggest that the Great Lakes area stands poised to break into a period of peace. This is of great importance to the same question of peace and stability in our Continent as a whole. We must bear in mind that the DRC, which both covers a large area of Africa and has a large population, shares borders with nine countries. It is vital that as the African Union begins its life, and as our Continent commences with the implementation of NEPAD, we move decisively and successfully towards the realisation of the objective of peace and stability in Africa. This is fundamental to the objectives of both the AU and NEPAD and the aspirations of the millions of ordinary Africans. We must take this opportunity once again to convey our salute to the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda as well as the UN for the positions they have taken to ensure the speediest possible resolution of the conflict in the DRC. I am certain that our Government and people will spare no effort in the attempt to move the Great Lakes and Africa to a stable peace. In this context, we must also mention the progress made in the negotiations to end the protracted conflict in Sudan. On July 20th, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People' Liberation Movement/Army reached an important agreement. In their Communiqué they stated: "The Parties made substantial progress and specifically reached agreement on the two most contentious issues, namely: the right to self-determination for the people of South Sudan and State and Religion. The Parties also agreed on the Preamble, Principles, and the Transition Process, all of which will be incorporated into a final comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Parties agreed to continue negotiations on the other outstanding issues of power sharing, wealth sharing, human rights and ceasefire when negotiations resume in mid-August, 2002." The negotiating parties agreed to "establish a democratic system of governance, taking account of the cultural, ethnic, racial, religious and linguistic diversity and gender equality of the people of the Sudan." They further resolved to "find a comprehensive solution that addresses the economic and social deterioration of the Sudan and replaces war not just with peace, but also with social, political and economic justice which respects the fundamental human and political rights of all the Sudanese people." Sudan, one of the neighbours of the DRC, which faces its own domestic challenge of peace, has taken a decisive step forward towards the achievement of this goal. Merely from what we have quoted, it is clear that, when finalised, the Sudan agreement will hold important lessons for all Africa in the construction of stable multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-faith societies. Fully to communicate our country' views about all these developments, it is appropriate that we reproduce the statement of our Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, at the signing ceremony of the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement. He said: "We meet here today to participate in the solemn occasion of the signing of a peace agreement between two sister African countries that are very dear to us, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda. "We are especially honoured that our two brothers and leaders, Presidents Joseph Kabila and Paul Kagame are with us today as we take a giant step forward towards the renaissance of Africa. "We are very pleased and inspired that we also have with us both the Chairperson of the African Union and the Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the Union. "The presence with us of the representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, an African of whom we are immensely proud, Kofi Annan, confirms to us the historical importance of this occasion. "We thank the Ambassadors and High Commissioners who are here, a number of whom represent both their countries and various multilateral organisations. "I speak to you as a South African and an African. I speak for a people made up of many races, colours and origins that have known centuries of war and death. I represent a people who know the benefits of the dividend of peace, who look forward to a life free of poverty and underdevelopment. "I speak as a member of an African liberation movement that fought for a free and peaceful Africa even before it was formally constituted, 90 years ago. I represent a people who are still in struggle, who count among their heroes and leaders, the immortal Congolese and African patriot, Patrice Lumumba. "Accordingly, I stand here to say to all our African sisters and brothers that, in our millions, we have been comrades-in arms in the common struggle for liberation. We have shared the immense pain inflicted on all of us by neo-colonialism, racism, dictatorship, genocide and civil war. "I stand on this podium to make the firm commitment to the people of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the whole of Africa, to the peoples of the world, that this African republic which is honoured to host you, democratic South Africa, will always roar and act as a lion for the renaissance of Africa. "When you, the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda reached an agreement in favour of peace and African solidarity, you gave us cause to feel proud to be African. Through the agreement you will sign today, you made the statement that Africa shall be at peace. "You set the point for the start of Africa' new age when, together, as the African Union was being born, we said there will be no more genocide. We will not allow that another cuts anybody' limbs. We will not agree that the barrel of the gun determines who rules. We will not accept that the principle is compromised, that the people shall govern. "We are here to tell all Africa and the world that regardless and because of our common and troubled past, we have taken the decision that Africa will manage and determine its own rebirth. "Your agreement as Rwandans and Congolese has made the statement that as Africans, we are justified in our conviction that the African Union and its New Partnership for Africa' Development, represent a new and extraordinary beginning for a continent that, for centuries, has known nothing but subjugation, humiliation and immense suffering. "Today, you, representatives of the Congolose and Rwandan people, who need no introduction to the African experience, have gathered in our capital to give your people and ours, the rare gift of hope. "You have come here to give practical expression to the dream of millions of Africans, from the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, to the Mediterranean, that the Sun God will always smile on Africa. "There are many who will do their best to ensure that we fail. These will seek to convince us that nothing African can succeed. "Today, thanks to your patriotism as Africans, you have helped all of us to make the statement that these sceptics are wrong, and we are right, regardless of our problems. "Today, the Democratic Republic of Congo says we are right. Rwanda says we are right. Burundi says we are right. Only the other day, Sudan said we are right. Angola says we are right. Sierra Leone says we are right. The Comoros says we are right. Lesotho says we are right. "We know that Africa' problems continue. But we reaffirm that so does Africa' struggle. Together, as Africans, we proclaim - victory is certain! "Africa will win! God bless you, and god bless Africa!" Thabo Mbeki --------------------------------------------------------------------- WOMEN'S EMANCIPATION Month of voluntary action with and for South African women Branches of the African National Congress will use August to organise communities to work with and for women's development through voluntary action, and raise public awareness of the ongoing struggle for gender equality. This work forms part of the ANC's year-long letsema campaign, marking the organisation's 90th anniversary with voluntary community activities. Announced on 8 January by President Thabo Mbeki, the campaign aims to involve the people of South Africa in building a better life and deepening the culture of service and volunteerism. This month's activities, which coincide with National Women's Day on 9 August, will focus on women's empowerment, health and poverty alleviation. Activities will also work to combat, and raise public awareness of, violence against women. As women are most vulnerable to diseases like HIV/AIDS, and are often most affected by its impact on families and communities, branches of the ANC and the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) will organise home-based assistance to people in need. Emphasis will be placed on educating people about diseases, like cervical cancer and breast cancer, which affect women in particular. While awareness of these diseases may have been overshadowed by HIV/AIDS, they are life-threatening if not detected and treated early. Volunteers will be called on to ensure the participation of communities - women, in particular - in government poverty-alleviation programmes. Many of these programmes target women as the chief beneficiaries. Branches will assist women engaged in small-scale production, whether of food or handcrafts, to access markets and obtain valuable business knowledge. Branches of the ANC and ANCWL will identify suitable volunteers, such as social workers, to establish or bolster programmes of support to victims of violence and crime. The focus will include women and other vulnerable members of communities such as children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Key to combating violence against women is a concerted effort to stem violence within communities and challenge unequal power relations between men and women. The campaign will therefore also highlight the outcomes of the recent Moral Regeneration Summit, which adopted a programme of moral regeneration and launched the Moral Regeneration Movement. The ANC and Women's League will participate in, and mobilise people for, the national march for women's emancipation organised by the Commission for Gender Equality, which takes place in Pretoria on 9 August. Other activities will be organised by the ANC and ANCWL on the same day in other provinces. National Women's Day activities will include the burial of the remains of Sarah 'Saartjie' Baartman, which were recently returned to her native land almost two centuries after she was taken to Europe to be displayed as a medical curiosity. Saartjie's return is profoundly significant, since her experience symbolises the inter-relationship between gender oppression, colonialism and racial exploitation. The restoration of Saartjie's dignity through a proper burial is a powerful statement about the need to restore and safeguard the dignity of all the women of Africa and the world. In a similar vein, but at a more practical level, work will be done to highlight the relationship between women's emancipation and sustainable development as part of preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), taking place in Johannesburg from the end of August. Some of the main issues to be discussed at the Summit, like water and sanitation, food security, agriculture and health, affect women directly and profoundly. Throughout its interaction with the WSSD process, including its input into the Global Civil Society Forum, the ANC will strive to link sustainable development to women's empowerment. MORE INFORMATION: ANC Women's League http://www.anc.org.za/wl/ Commission for Gender Equality http://www.cge.org.za --------------------------------------------------------------------- WOMEN IN THE STRUGGLE I Charlotte Maxeke: 'The mother of African freedom' The starting point of any account of the contribution of women leaders to the struggle in South Africa must begin with Charlotte Maxeke, the person described by Dr AB Xuma as "the mother of African freedom in this country". At a time when membership of the fledgling ANC, then the South African Native National Congress, was only open to men, Charlotte Maxeke became the first president of the Bantu Women's League (BWL). Formed in 1918, the BWL was the forerunner of the ANC Women's League. Maxeke was born Charlotte Makgomo Manye in the Pietersburg district in 1874. From a young age she was a talented singer and joined a group of singers that toured England. She travelled to Canada and the United States, where she was offered a place at the Wilberforce University in Cleveland, Ohio, which was run by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. While there she married fellow student Rev Marshall Maxeke. She graduated in 1905 with a BSc degree, and returned home with her husband to found the Wilberforce Institute, which was later to be one of the leading Transvaal higher schools of learning for Africans. Charlotte Maxeke achieved political prominence as a leader of women demonstrators against proposals to extend the pass system to women. It was at this time that she decided to found the Bantu Women's League. As President of the League, she led a delegation to the then Prime Minister to discuss the question of passes for women in the Free State. The BWL, which had branches all over the country, demonstrated widely and sometimes successfully against passes for women. Maxeke's prominent political role clearly had a direct bearing on the profile and strength of the BWL. Writing in an article on the role of women in the first few decades of the ANC, Frene Ginwala notes that in Charlotte Maxeke, the BWL had "a leader of national standing among the African people and one who was capable of dealing directly with legislators and officials. Women no longer had need of interpreters or spokesmen, but could articulate their demands and make their own representations." Maxeke was also involved in workers' struggles. In 1920 she extended her support to early efforts of Clements Kadalie and Selby Msimang to launch a national trade union movement for Africans. Within days of the inaugural conference of the Industrial Commercial Workers Union (ICU), the Bantu Women's League of Pietersburg drew up a list of grievances of women farm workers. Examples were cited of farmers making women do exceedingly heavy physical labour. The workers also objected to being forced to work until midnight without time off for meals. As Native Probation Officer for juvenile delinquents in Johannesburg, she was particularly concerned with the conditions of women and children prisoners. Not merely content to help prisoners, she was committed also to fighting the causes of crime. Maxeke died in 1939 at the age of 65. Throughout her life she showed outstanding qualities as an ANC activist, social worker, teacher, journalist, church leader and thinker. Her legacy serves as an inspiration for all South Africans in the ongoing struggle against the oppression of women in South Africa. MORE INFORMATION: Biographical information on Charlotte Maxeke http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/people/maxeke.html 'Women and the African National Congress: 1912-1943', Frene Ginwala, Umrabulo 13, 2001 http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/pubs/umrabulo/umrabulo13g.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of ANC Today is available from the ANC web site at: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/2002/at31.htm To receive ANC Today free of charge by e-mail each week go to: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/subscribe.html