By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
If Africa is going to pull itself out of its social and economic morass it should embrace the idea of the unity based on shared values and common interests.
So said Prime Minister Nahas Angula yesterday when he officially opened the 19th All Africa Student Conference in the capital. Delegates from around the African continent are attending the conference at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
The Prime Minister at used an article in an expert magazine as the basis of his arguments.
“The Economist magazine of May 13th-19th, 2000, in its special report titled: “The trouble with Africa”, characterized Africa as a hopeless continent. The Economist observed. The figures – not to mention the recent crop disasters and wars – now suggest that Africa is losing the battle. All the bottom places in the world league tables are filled by African countries and the gap between them and the rest of the world is widening,” he quoted the magazine article and went on to say.
“According to Paul Collier of the World Bank, only 15% of Africans live in an environment considered minimally adequate for sustainable growth and development. At least 45% of Africans live in poverty and African countries need growth rates of 7% or more to cut that figure in half in 15 years.”
And in his own words the PM continued: “This is the African condition today.
It should be recalled that from mid 1700-1800 the African condition was that of slavery and the struggle for emancipation was the clarion call. From late 1800 to mid 1900 the condition of Africa was that of colonialism and the struggle for African freedom was the great engagement. Regrettably so far African freedom has not translated into African liberation,” he said.
According to Angula, the widespread Afro-pessimism as reflected in The Economist is therefore not an isolated perception of the African condition today.
“The youth and students of Africa and the Diaspora are meeting here in Windhoek in the 19th All African Students Conference. I believe your conference will deliberate on the African and African Diaspora condition. I feel therefore honoured to share some thoughts with you on the struggle for the transformation of Africa. African liberation can only come about through African transformation. The Economist article correctly concluded: ‘More than anything, Africa’s people need to regain their self-confidence. Only then can Africa engage as an equal with the rest of world, devising its own economic programmes and development policies. Its people also need the confidence to trust each other. Only then can they make deals to end wars and build political institutions: institutions they actually believe in’.”
In his view this is the challenge of the African youth and students today.
“How can Africa build democratic political institutions which inspire the confidence and trust of the African masses? What economic policies will launch Africa on the shared growth trajectory? How could Africa regain its self-esteem and self-confidence? In short, can Africa re-brand its image? These are some of the questions the youth and students of Africa must grapple with,” he said.
He further stated: “The unity of the African people should be based on shared values and common interests. The shared values are grounded in the African historical experiences, culture and ethics. They include democratic popular participation in governance; social justice; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; public accountability and transparency; and adherence to the rule of law.”
Common interests embrace the inter-linkages between peace, security, good governance and the improvement of economic and social conditions of the African people.
“The African people are ready to unite provided that their individual and collective freedoms and fundamental rights are guaranteed. The African people are ready to work together provided that their cultural, economic and social rights are respected. The African people desire to integrate in the African union provided that good governance and democratic mass participation are integrating ethos of the African political milieu,” he said to applause by the predominantly youth audience.
He also said that the African shared values and common interests are documented in a number of declarations by African Heads of State and Governments.
“The problem with Africa is actually the capacity and political will to implement its own commitments. Your conference should interrogate this African lethargy. How could the African youth revitalize African energy, creativity, innovativeness, inventiveness and work ethic? You must provide answers to this vital question,” suggested.
In his view the way forward is the optimal development of the intellectual potential of the African youth.
“As the saying goes: the primary resource of any country is its people. The youth are the primary resource of Africa. Their social, intellectual and cultural development is the first call to African governments. Investment in education and training is crucial to empowering the African youth to overcome Africa’s under-development, poverty and disease,” he asserted.
In conclusion the PM mentioned that the 19th All African Students Conference should come up with a Plan of Action of lifting Africa out of its lethargy, dependence and under development.