SPYL hails African founding fathers

Musa Zimunya

WINDHOEK, MAY 25 – The roots of Africa are espoused by the unflinching dedication displayed by the early Pan-Africans who uprooted colonial barriers and planted seeds to the very Africa upon which this current generation freely walks. And it is against this backdrop that the Swapo Party Youth League has paid homage to the pioneers of an independent Africa.

“We pay homage to the Pan Africans such as Haile Selassie, Julius Nyerere, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Kwame Nkrumah, Tomas Sankara, Muammar Gadafi, Marcus Garvey, Malcom X and William Du Bois, for their priceless sacrifice toward African self-determination. We owe it to those early Pan-Africanists as we draw our inspiration and support for Africa’s longing for self-reliance, free from economic dependency (without) neo-colonialist controls and interference,” according to Secretary for Information, Publicity and Mobilisation Gerson Lineekela Dumeni.

He reiterated that as Africans, it is important to face the reality: “The struggle against colonialsm does not halt with the attainment of national independence of our countries in Africa.”

Africa Day is one that should characterise reflection, said Dumeni, underscoring the fact that the event should hold significance as the continent marches toward the envisaged Agenda 2063.

“Independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs.” – 

Current Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Executive Members during a political event

He further urged the youth to heed the echo of their forefathers voices, who yearned for peace, equality and prosperity.

“Independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs. Africa Day does not only mark the anniversary of the birth of the African Union on 25 May 1963. As young people we should be cognizant of the need to embrace the values of equality, peace and a prosperous Africa that our fore-bearers dreamed of. We owe it to them; their sacrifices and their devotion to steer our continent in the direction in which Africa may reach its full potential,” he added.

 In a continent abundant with resources, Dumeni singled out the people – the youth in particular – as its greatest wealth.

“As young people of Africa, we shall irrevocably commit our time, studies and energy to the new Africa, redefined by sustainable management of its resources. As we celebrate the 56th milestone of African unity, we should collectively strive for the realisation of Africa with common markets, common currency and common continental communication systems which should not take us decades to attain.” – musa@namibiadailynews.info