The African Renaissance:
Women in the Forefront of Social Transformation

By Mavivi, Y.L. Myakayaka-Manzini, MP

Introduction

When we talk about the African renaissance, it is important to give a historical background on the origins of the African renaissance as a concept. Renaissance is not a new terminology, nor did South Africans coin it. Another word for renaissance is reconstruction and this is what we have been talking about since 1994. We often use the term 'reconstruction' to indicate a new beginning just like when we repaint or refurbish a house.

The Origins of the Concept of Renaissance

Now in terms of history, or scholarly talk the idea of a renaissance started in Europe and it relates to a time during the 15th and 16th centuries. This was a time when social movements were expected to undergo both a quantitative and qualitative change, and amongst other changes that had to happen the most important was:

• Scientific advances in technology and biochemistry;
• Round the world journeys of exploration;
• An increase in trade by sea;
• The invention of the printing industry;
• The beginning of what was called the freedom of thought and the need to increase knowledge; and
• The flourishing of art as a form of expression and cultural identification;

Having said all this, we do however, need to ask what was the composition of that renaissance? What was the driving force? These questions constitute what were the essential ingredients of that renewal.

Clearly the main movers behind this renewal were those who were in involved in the new trade industry. This class wanted to increase their economic wealth through travel and the overthrowing of foreign markets. These traders had their own skilled scholars and artists who spread the pleasures and powers brought about by wealth. Thus there was collaboration,n between these scholars and the feudal lords, as they reasoned that the voyages of discovery served as the means to relieve economic, political and demographic constraints within their own countries.

So, it is correct to stress that one of the crucial aims of this renaissance consisted of the seizure of foreign markets and kingdoms, which culminated in the colonisation of 'other' nations. In addition, the political vision and material needs of the said class derived enormous benefits from a developed economic and technological social base as well as a stable political force.

The Concept of the African Renaissance

The question we have to ask ourselves then is in what way does the above relate to Africa? How do we define or visualise this renaissance in relation to our lives today'' To answer the above, it is imperative that we look at the journey this continent has travelled to date. Here we isolate three catalysts that induced an African revival or renewal.

• Firstly, the independence of Ghana in 1957.
• Secondly, the collapse of socialist states in 1989.
• Thirdly, the end of the Cold War and the resurgence of more open political and economic renewal in Africa that surpassed the decolonisation process of the 1960's.
• Finally, the need for democracy in the whole of Africa which energised the people of this continent far more than the nationalist movements. This need for democracy culminated in the liberation of South Africa.

The first two phases of the African rebirth overlap with each other, and as such can be said to have served as a dress rehearsal, because they had important lessons for the third phase that we now call renaissance. In essence this confirms our knowledge that African renaissance is not a new concept. For example African scholars and leaders, who were interested in the economic development of Africa, like De Boise, Senghor, Mazrui and others also supported an African renaissance. Thus what South African leaders and scholars are reintroducing this concept within an Africa that is free of colonialism and apartheid.

Many theories have been advanced about the failure of Africa and other developing to effectively utilise the first two phases of political liberation to emancipate these countries' social and economic suppression. However, the truth of the matter is those, African leaders whose countries attained liberation in the 1950's and so on understood the interconnectedness of countries within this continent. Hence, they firmly stated that it was not possible for their countries to achieve full independence whilst South Africa remained under colonial rule. As a result we can safely say that it is probable that our freedom is likely to enable our continent to focus on socio-economic problems as equals, and without any external constraints.

What the above illustrates is that the failure of Africa to achieve social and economic emancipation during the first two phases of political liberation, was due to the fact that the donor countries determined the relationship between African nation states and the major political countries. In addition, it is likely that the ideological, economic and strategic obligations of the Cold War reinforced the unequal political and economical relationship between Africa and the rest of the world.

Furthermore, the different ideological beliefs that made up the membership of some of the organisational instruments of developing countries like the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation for African Unity made these bodies ineffective. These bodies ended up as ineffective ideals that did not have the ability to empower developing countries to secure their independence from the adversities of the Cold War. Today, it is widely believed that political decolonisation during this period did not deliver the African people from economic and social underdevelopment.

It is unfortunate though that as yet the practices of Cold War have not been replaced by a New World Order characterised by:

• The restructuring of international social, economic political relations; and
• A guarantee for mutual respect and redress of the legacies of colonialism and neo-colonialism;

Instead, the bi-polar world of the Cold Was has been replaced by the tri-polar economic and social world that is comprised of North America, Europe and East Asia. As a result, the material basis of this world is to revolutionise the production and distribution of micro-electronic and biochemical industries in communication and the creation of knowledge. Inevitably, this tri-polar competition is threatening to marginalise the African people, and it is likely that marginalisation could become worse. In the sense that conditions have changed our continent no longer serves the strategic interests of the big powers as it has did during the Cold War.

Today African countries find themselves in direct economic competition regionally, with Eastern Europe and East Asia inasmuch as these countries strive for global economic integration. In essence, economic globalisation has come to mean competition largely between the three major economic centres of America, Europe and East Asia. Accordingly, at the present moment there is insignificant capital flow between the West and Africa, as compared that of Eastern Europe, East Asia and Latin America.

The lesson to be drawn from these circumstances is that the Africa's quest for political, social and economic emancipation is dependent on our individual and collective ability to employ significant and collaborative influence in the sphere of international relations. In reality our preparation for and entry into the 21st century will only reflect the evidence of our seriousness in our pursuit for the African renaissance. Therefore, it is not the 20th but the 21st century that is likely to be the historical era of the African renaissance.

The African renaissance is a vision of continental renewal/reconstruction and reawakening, and is based on the:

• Economic recovery of the African continent as a whole;
• Ability to establish political democracy throughout the continent;
• Demolition of neo-colonial relations between Africa and the world economic powers;
• Mobilisation of Africans to reclaim as well as direct the continent's destiny; and
• Acceleration of people-centred or people driven economic growth and development;

This vision qualities an historical context that grounds the African renaissance in African people's struggle against colonialism, racism and patriarchy.

In his address to the Corporate Council on Africa Comrade Thabo Mbeki, the Executive Deputy President of South Africa, says to effect this African renaissance we should take cognisant of the fact that:

"There exist within our continent a generation which has been victim to all the things which created (Africa's) negative past. This generation remains African and carries with it an historic pride, which compels it to seek a place for Africans equal to all other peoples of our common universe".

He goes on to say this generation:

"...Knows and is resolved that, to attain that objective, it must resist all tyranny, oppose all attempts to deny liberty by resort, repulse the temptation to describe African life as the ability to live on charity', engage the fight to secure emancipation of the African woman, and reassert the fundamental concept that we are our own liberators from oppression, from underdevelopment and poverty, from the perpetuation of an experience from slavery, to colonisation, to apartheid, to dependence on alms. It is this generation whose sense of rage guarantees Africa's advance towards its renaissance". (Attracting Capital to Africa 19-22, 1987; Chantilly, Virginia, USA).

As we enter the 21st century we have to pose those important factors, I spoke about earlier, namely, what constitutes the content of the present African renaissance, and what are its motivating forces. History has a tendency to repeat itself, however, like a spiral, by the time it comes around; it is at a higher level of human existence. In that context, the factors that made up the historical renaissance are now visible in our lifetime, but the requirements are greater than previously.

For example, today's scientific advances of that era can be seen in the micro-electronic technology. Likewise, the printing can be likened to the information superhighway; Increased sea trade of those days is the same as globalisation. Finally, the need for freedom of thought, democratisation and openness of societies etc. etc. Therefore, our societies are bound to take advantage of these advances, in order to prepare for the challenges of the 21st century.

The African Renaissance and the Asian Resurgence

It is difficult to discuss the possibility the rise of the era of renaissance in our continent, without occasionally alluding to the new Asian Renaissance. It is largely acknowledged that historians, economists and politicians do not understand the phenomenon of the Asian resurgence. However, those of the African continent who are engaged in the social transformation of their societies cannot afford to ignore its historical significance, as well as its downright socio-economic magnitude. As a result, it is imperative that when we plan and/or our vision for our own renaissance should draw lessons from this renaissance.

The birth of the East Asia economic miracle is one of the most important socio-economic developments of the 20th century, to the extent that to a certain extent, the term globalisation has come to mean competition between East Asia and the West. For Africa, tines, miracles gives us hope as well as show us that economic development can be fast and that it can be attained without the annexation o foreign markets through imperial physical force. To illustrate this economic transformation, it is important to point out that in 1960 South Korea's GNP was the same as that of Ghana, but today the former country's GNP has grown ten times more.

One of the main reasons for the African renaissance is the need to enable African to rid themselves of the legacies of colonialism and neo-colonialism in order to situate ourselves on the global stage as equal and respected contributors, as beneficiaries of all the achievements of human civilisation. Just as the continent was once the cradle of humanity, and architects of civilisation. Today East Asia sets the benchmark of global standards in many industrial products.

Thus we regard this call for an African renaissance as an instrument that would enable the world to rediscover the oneness of the human race. One of the primary force that constitute the content of this renewal is the construction of a growing and sustainable economy that is capable of assimilating the best characteristics, contribute and take and take advantage of the real flows of economic activities around the world. In a nutshell what we mean here is that no experience is unique so as to exclude others from learning something from it. However, this statement takes cognisant of the fact that what exactly is to be learnt and to what degree from any particular experience would differ from country to country.

Emphasis on sustainable growth and competitiveness does not imply that the wave of an African renaissance cannot start before this economic reality is realised. What is certain, however, is that this economic condition is an essential ingredient for the survival and consolidation of the African dream. It is no fantasy that visionaries, philosophers and strategists proceed all great moments in history. Likewise the dawn of the 21st century that is coupled with the political, a scientific and economic change in our world presents an epoch whose possibility for a radical transformation can be multiplied several times over.

In its quest to produce a strong propertied African class, the African nation state encourages unrestrained participation of small and medium-sized firms in business. As a result there is an emerging unionised large middle class workers that is comprised of men and women in the form of teachers, intellectuals, nurses, traders, artisans, civil servants etc. However, because within the African context the patterns of economic production and ownership are still largely rural and subsistent. It is thus realistic to state that absolute economic growth and economic development refill only be realised through the incorporation of the rural masses (majority of who are women) in the economy of the information technology. Therefore, in this instance it would be ideal to bear in mind that although there is a correlation between economic growth and development, however, to emphasise the diversity of the African community it is important that we separate economic growth from development.

Consequently, it is important that the emerging middle class is encouraged to move closer to the acquisition of economic ownership and production. This they can do as individuals, small business or through trade unions. These people should assume an entrepreneurial role as well as become a crucial component of economic democratisation and sustainable economic growth. Moreover, this middle class should be seen as the driving force of civil society. In as much as, a strong integrated civil society is indispensable in the development of a strong mixed economy and administration that is geared at serving the people.

As stated previously, a 'renaissance' is an historical moment whose many elements will develop independently, irrespective of our subjective intentions. A renaissance cannot be simply ordered or come out like a spell, but it is indisputable that certain minimum factors can bring about a renaissance. However, without incorporating these minimum factors into an integrated programme of action, the dream of an African renaissance will forever be deferred or remain a romantic and theoretical idea.

Therefore, to design a programme of action it is imperative that we identify the key areas of action which African people should engage in both as individuals and as a collective. For example amongst other objectives the programme of action should embody these attributes:

Firstly, galvanise and sensitise the continent about its importance by sending a strong message to the world about the renaissance. Secondly, engineer and engage in important progressive political debates within the countries that make up this continent. And lastly, provide effective national, continental and global leadership. The continent can achieve these goals through the enhancement and development of visionaries, theoreticians, strategists, philosophers, politicians, poets, prose writers, painters' etc.;

The restructuring and repositioning of many regional, continental and international institutions in line with the objective of empowering developing countries by changing the global institutions like the UN, IMF and the World Bank. This change should also include organisations within the developing countries such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), The Organisation of African Unity, The Pan African Women's Movement (PAWO), the Pan African Youth Organisation, other non-governmental organisations, as well as economic groupings etc. These organisations would have to define their roles within the changing scenario, in preparation for achieving socio-economic empowerment;

• The transformation of the education curriculum in the continent;
• Design programmes to build and strengthen institutions for economic development and co-operation, to ensure proper co-ordination and that programmer are not duplicated as this leads to a waste of resources;
• The improvement and proper utilisation of the land and mineral resources, as these assets as our investment to the renewal of Africa;
• Develop programmer to ensure that there is enough food as well as promote self-sufficiency;
• Promote programmer to combat life-threatening diseases such as AIDS and HIV, malaria, cholera etc;
• The elevation of positive aspects of our culture and tradition, in our contribution to the regeneration of our moral values and system as a means to both regain our dignity and humanity as men and women of the African continent;
• Organise seminars, conferences, exhibitions, sport events, cultural shows, as well as global programmes amongst other events. It was in this context that South Africa made a bid for the 2004 Olympics. Presently, we are putting in a bid for the 2006 Soccer World Cup;
• Develop programmer for the youth that are the future of this continent;
• Build stable societies and nation states;
• The need to promote unqualified emancipation of the African race, and this emancipation should be linked to that of women;

Why Should African Women be in the Forefront of Social Transformation?

The economic history of Africa under colonialism, racial domination and patriarchy, is a history of land alienation, and this had a fundamental impact on the African family life and gender relations. African men were forced off their land in order to provide cheap labourers for European farmers, work on the mines and this was the beginning of the migratory labour system. Consequently in the absence of men, women became heads of their families, albeit with limited powers. Simply this framework caused grave ramifications on social and gender relations amongst the African people. For example, it became common practice for men who had migrated to other parts of Southern Africa and within South Africa to acquire a "wife", and this meant that a man had 'two wives', one in the rural area and one in the urban setting. Post-apartheid South Africa is only beginning to redress this process, and we have to acknowledge that it is going to take us a long time to implement social and developmental transformation that will help reverse this problem.

Therefore, discussion on the African renaissance and women has to locate women within this context of quasi heads of families, as well as comforters for displaced men. In several African countries women make the majority or half of the entire population. In addition they produce 60 to 80% of all the food, head 30% or more households a monumental task. The millions can only value women's entrepreneurial contribution. However, when it come to large-scale operations at national, regional and international levels in business and the economy in general we are marginalised or we are largely under-represented. Obviously, this explains why women should be in the centre as well as the vanguards of the African renewal.

It is on this basis that we say that the notion of the African renaissance is linked to the African women's struggle for emancipation. As such, the democratisation and renewal process will be incomplete if half of its population remains in bondage. Moreover, to exclude half of the continents' population from the process of social transformation will not necessarily be a transformation, but an entrenchment and perpetuation of male values.

The ethos of the political and economic system of colonialism was incredibly patriarchal, and inevitably this legacy had an impact on Africa's social, political and economic system. As a result the African political and economic system was overwhelmingly macho, militaristic, directed and dependent on the West. However, Africa is making an attempt to change the legacy of male domination, which encourages violence as a means to solve conflicts. For example, since 1990 more than 25 Sub-Saharan countries have had democratic elections.

During the struggle against colonialism there was a belief that the emancipation of women could only be realised after national liberation, as a result the struggle for the women's emancipation was subsumed under the struggle for national liberation. However, the reality was that the attainment of national liberation demanded new priorities like the social, political and economic restructuring as well as protection of the new nation state. As a result women's issues were relegated to the bottom of the agenda of the new state, in some cases they were regarded as divisive and a deviation from African culture and tradition.

Both the realisations that it was impossible for newly liberated states to incorporate or deal with issues that affected women into national priorities. Also participation in the activities of the United States Decade for Women in 1985 conscientised South African women about the need to wage a simultaneous struggle. That is the struggle for national and women's emancipation. South African women were fortunate, inasmuch as the African National Congress was responsive to their suggestion, because the organisation resolved to make women's emancipation and social transformation a priority. The ability to wage a simultaneous struggle did not only benefit women, it made our men that they need to change their attitudes towards women. Hence from 1994 the government committed itself to the conscious transformation of institutions along non-racial and non-sexist lines.

By way of illustration, in his first speech at the opening of a democratically elected Parliament in May 1994 Comrade President Nelson Mandela said:

"It is vitally important that all structures of government, including the President himself, should understand this fully. That freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. All of us must take this on board, that the objectives of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) will not have been realised unless we see in the visible and practical terms that the condition of women of our country has radically changed for the better, and that they have been empowered to intervene in all aspects of life as equals with any member of society".

Likewise, the late President of the African National Congress, comrade Oliver Tambo spoke of the need for women to be in the forefront of their own liberation. He was known to warn women thus: "There is no way an oppressor can liberate the oppressed ". Thus women should be involved right from the conceptualisation of the ethos of renewal. Women should develop a sense of ownership to the process as well as the outcome of the process, because as the majority of the African population, albeit the fact that some of us care poor and illiterate. We do however, have the ability to counsel on the process of the renewal as well as advance its objectives.

Thus gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women should be a key component of the African renaissance. This means that all programmes that are associated with the African renaissance should have a gender component in them. It also means ensuring that all programmes proposed by the government undergo a gender audit. Finally, this also means that the plans and initiatives of government and regions reflect a measurable gender focus.

Conclusion

At the eleventh Non-Aligned Summit of Heads of States or government expressed their deep concern about the persistent critical economic situation of Africa. In addition the Delhi Ministerial Conference suggested that the international community should increase its support to African countries to enable them to achieve sustainable economic growth. As the renewal of the continent is of benefit to all regions it is therefore, envisaged that the Non-Aligned Movement's meeting of the 29 August to the 03 September 1998 in Durban will discuss both the African renaissance and the role women are expected to play within this concept.

During the past decade the United Nations General Assembly negotiated and passed many multilateral programmes in relation to the emancipation of the African continent. Thus if we nasally are determined to reconstruct our continent we have to draw programmes that are authentic and practical. Furthermore, to obtain support from the people of the world in our quest to realise the African renaissance, the 21st century has been named "the African century". Accordingly, South Africa as chair of the Movement should take the lead in ensuring that development and social transformation of the developing countries are made priority number one on the global agenda.

In view of the United Nation's Assembly's support of Africa's emancipation, as well as renewal. It is important that all sectors of this organization such as the IMF, the World Bank, the WTO, NAFTA, the EU, ASEAN, MECOSUR and others the programmes are included in mobilisation of the world community.

The world expects liberated South Africa to make a significant contribution to the common struggle for peace, development and equality. To achieve these South Africa will have to ensure that the Non-Aligned Movement becomes the vehicle through which these objectives can be realised. In addition South Africa will have to give concrete meaning to all round relations at the bilateral level, sub-regional, regional and international. This would require the whole continent to work as a collective with a shared goal, because failure to do so would render the process null and void.

Extract from ANC Strategy and Tactics ( page 26-28)
as amended at Mafikeng, 1997
on the AFRICAN RENAISSANCE

Our starting point therefore is the obvious: that South Africa is an African country.

The integration of the Southern African region is therefore critical, so as to bring our joint strengths to bear in the wider world, and ensure that the region becomes one of the nodal growth points of the world. This applies to such issues as the utilisation of our vast resources, the building of a common market, and the promotion of the region as an important investment destination within the context both of its political stability and its economic policies. Critical to this is the deepening of democracy and human rights and the consolidation of peace in the region.

This approach is underpinned by our commitment to, and active promotion of, the African renaissance: the rebirth of a continent that has for far too long been the object of exploitation and plunder. It recognises in the first instance the difficulties wrought on the continent by years of colonialism and unjust international relations, including the debt crisis, underdevelopment, social dislocation, and in some instances untenable political relations underpinned by forms of government that imperialism encouraged for its own selfish interests. However, the essence of our approach is not to mourn this treacherous past; but to find solutions to a complex reality.

Therefore, for us, this African renaissance is both a strategic objective and a call to action.

It must be underpinned by the mobilisation of the people of Africa to take their destiny into their own hands: in the definition and consolidation of democratic systems of government in which the people play an active role, in attaining rapid economic growth that is based on meeting the basic needs of the people, in widening and deepening the scope of economic, political and social integration on the continent, and in joint efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts within and among African nations.

Africa's rebirth requires that leaders and governments recognise, and indeed act to bring to the fore, the centrality of individual citizens and communities - workers, peasants, professionals, the entrepreneurial class and others - in shaping the future of the continent. In particular, it also requires that the character, content and programmes of the renaissance are infused with a gender-sensitive perspective.

The creativity and enterprise of all these classes and strata must be promoted, and their intellectual and scientific capacity must be given free reign. Their ability to understand the wrongs of the colonial past, but indeed, to also acknowledge and correct weaknesses in the present and in themselves, should be nurtured.

Africa's renaissance should consolidate her collective sovereignty, both in the fight to change the current maldistribution of international resources and power, and in the efforts of Africans themselves to improve the continent's standing in world affairs. Critical in the campaign to realise this renaissance is the Organisation of African Unity and other continental and regional associations, which must be continually strengthened to meet the challenges of the new age. Our efforts on the continent form part of the drive of countries of the South to improve relations among themselves in the process of shaping a new world order.