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The Youth Must Showcase Africa as a Dynamic Force
2006-11-17Staff Report 2 "By Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro WINDHOEK Namibia's Founding President is challenging all Africans to develop a culture of reading and writing. Dr Sam Nujoma Wednesday night launched the Pan Afrikan Centre of Namibia (Pacon)'s annual public lecture series dedicated to the founding president, as well as the Afro-Voice magazine in the capital. He said it is through efforts such as the lecture series and the magazine that Africans can design and craft African literature and add to the body of world knowledge. He said the youth in particular must be in the forefront of research, dissemination of information and the documentation of African experiences through platforms such as Afro-Voice. He said the public lectures would aim at engaging the entire Namibian nation in the generation of knowledge and the creation of awareness among the youth about Africa and the Diaspora. He thus urged the youth to emulate the noble examples of various African visionary leaders like Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah and Jacob Marenga who inspired a united struggle against colonialism, oppression and apartheid colonialism. He believes that once implemented, the lectures and the Afro-Voice magazine would help shape, direct and influence the youth to be self-disciplined, patriotic and to determine the Continent's future. He further viewed that debates and scholarly interactions ensuing from the lectures and from articles in Afro-Voice would of necessity portray Africa as a developing continent with the potential to overcome her challenges and problems. ""We have to showcase Africa as a dynamic force full of energy and enthusiasm and prepared to excel amidst all the odds that were brought by the forces of oppression, imperialism and apartheid colonialism,"" he said. The Founding President went on to say that the launch was timely in the sense that it coincided with the stated objectives of making the 21st Century Africa's. He said one way in which Africa could eradicate the perpetuation of neo-colonialism on the continent was through designing and developing its own educational systems and institutions promoting African philosophies, ethics and values. This could only succeed if there were strong mutual partnerships among the Africans and the Diaspora and the launch of scientific research, proper planning and discipline. The lectures take place every year in May during a week of intense discussions preceded by other lectures throughout the country. It is held in May to coincide with the Founding President's birthday, commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity and Cassinga Day. ANC military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe's former Commander, General Moloi, and the former Researcher of Desmond Tutu Leadership Academy, Mxolisi Mgxashe, are among the guests who attended the launch. They have been in the country for a dialogue between Swapo and the ANC as part of the mission of the Freedom Park Trust Project. The project aims at documenting the struggle for humanity and freedom in southern Africa." 2006-11-17Staff Report 2
