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Scars that never heal

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Africa’s Freedom
By Unwin Books
Published in 1964

FIVE and half centuries of foreign domination of the black people has left Africa as a continent ‘cursed’, ‘disturbed and exploited’.
The history of Africa reflects wounds that continue to hurt generations.
Through memories and effects of slavery and colonialism, Africans continue to ‘bleed’, hampered by chains of foreign religion, education and ideology.
The book under review this week is a collection of articles and speeches of Africa’s leaders, activists and nationalists.
Simply titled Africa’s Freedom, the book is an eye-opener that reveals different African experiences emanating from the same source.
It is a combination of stories, thoughts that highlight the plight of Africans and the reason for Africans to unite and develop their continent.
In a speech titled ‘Africa and Freedom’, the late South African activist Albert Luthuli clearly talks about the problems that black people faced in South Africa.
Luthuli talks of the blackman’s experiences in the land of his ancestors under white domination.
In the speech, Luthuli bemoans how Africa is a victim of forced ideologies and has been robbed of its socio-economic and political wealth.
“Our continent has been carved up by the great powers; alien governments have been forced upon the African people by military conquest and by economic domination; strivings for nationhood and national dignity have been beaten down by force; traditional economies and ancient customs have been disrupted, and human skills and energy have been harnessed to the advantage of our conquerors,” writes Luthuli.
‘Africa and Freedom’ is a speech which also gives solutions to Africa to move on and take responsibility for her development and progress.
“She should see this hour of her fulfilment as a challenge to labour on until she is purged of racial domination…”
Former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda, in his contribution titled ‘Some Personal Reflections’ chronicles the plight of blacks in Zambia under Rhodesian colonial rule.
Kaunda speaks of a racial segregation that stripped Africans of their dignity and made them third class citizens.
“While the European women stood at the counter buying their expensive perfumes and medicines, a long line of African servants queued at the window and were often not only kept waiting but when their turn came to be served were rudely treated by the shop assistants,” writes Kaunda.
The position of an African under colonial rule was not only pathetic, but highlighted the brutality of whites and how they were not ready to co-exist with Africans, whom they did not consider human.
“When an African went from his place of work to his home, he had to travel on foot or on bicycle or in a crowded bus along a dusty road,” says Kaunda.
“The area where he was forced to live was usually some distance from the centre of the town in what is known as a ‘location’.”
Kaunda called for racial-unity, pan-Africanism and co-operation between independent states.
In the article ‘The Outlook for Contemporary Africa’ D.K. Chisiza tackles problems associated with contemporary Africa.
Chisiza points out that though Africa has been a victim of colonial rule, contemporary Africa should focus on developing modern states.
He reflects that for Africans to prosper, there is need to deal with contemporary problems crippling African states.
Such problems are associated with neo-colonialism which has created some African hypocrites who desire things Western and shun everything African.
Chisiza also points out that corruption is a ‘disease’ that is not only hindering Africa’s development but destroying the future of its generations.
“To be praised by Western Ministers is a kiss of political death in a nationalist country,” writes Chisiza.
“Unless measures are taken to prevent and guard against it, official corruption becomes a problem in some parts of Africa.”
Pan-Africanist Tom Mboya shares his thoughts in the article ‘Tensions in African Development’.
Mboya argues Africa’s escape colonial bondage has not made many around the world happy .
Mboya notes that upon gaining independence, Africans took the journey of mental decolonisation and rediscovery of themselves.
“They became conscious of their own identity, yet found themselves robbed of authority,” says Mboya.
“They recognised the fact that the European ruler could not be regarded as an honest friend while he exercised his power and violence at the expense of the subject masses.”
His advice is for Africans to come up with their own solutions to problems created by foreign domination.
“Let us go abroad to ask for loans and technical skills, not for ideals and ideologies,” writes Mboya.
In an article ‘Ujamaa: The Basis of African Socialism’, the late statesman Julius Nyerere talks of a united Africa as a key to succeeding on the continent.
Though written a long time ago, Africa’s Freedom provides solutions to current problems that Africa is grappling with.

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