As we mark Africa Day let’s reflect on how we can be even better
Although free from colonialism, we are still under the yoke of neocolonialism
Today marks the 54th anniversary of African Liberation Day.
It is an important day in our political life as the people of Africa commemorate the ideals of unity and liberation, which were the cornerstone of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner of the current African Union.
This day was used by Africans on the continent and in the diaspora to rally together, and by other freedom-loving people to fight against colonialism, oppression and injustice.
The OAU did a lot to help advance the liberation and independence of many African countries.
Today, five decades after the OAU’s inception, the entire African continent is free from direct colonialism, albeit still under the yoke of neocolonialism and Western dependency, and countries like Western Sahara continue to labour under aggressive occupation.
All Africans, black people, and those who value freedom and democracy should observe African Liberation Day as a significant moment in our liberation calendar.
Freedom is today imperilled not so much by physical occupation and the brutal force that was synonymous with colonialism; but by a more insidious and dangerous selective amnesia as displayed by the former leader of the white liberal Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, who is in denial about the regressive effect and human cost of colonialism.
This curtailment of freedom is also evinced by the capture of our economic and political institutions by private interests, which undermines the hardwon democratic freedoms and rights of citizens and workers. We see this being played in the gladiatorial contest between the Guptas and white monopoly capital, which amounts to the subversion of our economic and political sovereignty.
Azapo joins millions of freedom-loving people throughout the world to celebrate the political and democratic significance of this day, in not just helping to liberate our continent, but also in expanding the frontiers of freedom and democracy.
For us in Azania, we recall the many sacrifices that were made by African countries and the people of the world, who afforded us human solidarity to defeat the demon of apartheid.
And to erase the scourge of institutionalised racism.
As South Africans we must also use today to reflect on whether our country is on track towards building a developmental and ethical state based on good governance.
The spate of violence and crime in our society, and the arrested development of our youth and labour force, point to a failure in the nation-building project.
The spread of femicide and kidnappings, as well as the recent deaths of informal miners in disused mines, are also indicative of the moral and social decay that is gripping our society.
On this 54th African Liberation Day, may the bullets that liberated our continent truly begin to flower, for all her children.
We recall the many sacrifices that were made