Reasons to celebrate run thin

AFRICA Day comes and goes every year and many of the 1.2 billion or so people on this great continent struggle to find enough reasons to celebrate to the fullest.

Did something really change when 32 nations came together on May 25, 1963 to form the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)?

Did it fulfil its mandate or was the dream of unity deferred indefinitely? What good did the transformation of this body into the present AU bring?

This week, as in the past, many questions were on everyone’s lips as our people of the second biggest continent and one of the richest in minerals, reflected on Africa Day.

This is not to say there were no celebrations and the ululations, singing and dancing typical of the beauty and vibrancy of our colourful and diverse peoples. Indeed, we had to bow to our forefathers who fought for the political liberation of our land from colonialism, apartheid and other forms of racist oppression. They deserve respect and our thanks for laying the foundation for a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

It is also true that some gains have been made in promoting peace and stability, democratic rule, education, human rights, regional and continental integration, gender parity and infant, maternal health and other areas of human development. Yet there has been some regression and missed opportunities.

As we wrap up Africa Month we must accept that we have not moved with the speed that Dr Kwame Nkrumah spoke about many years ago.

South Africa celebrates Africa Month straight after its Freedom Month in April, paying tribute to those who brought about the political freedom we have enjoyed since 1994. The slow speed at which our economy has transformed and grew and the general lackadaisical implementation of the dreams spelt out in our constitution, make it hard for many citizens of this country to celebrate our Freedom Day totally.

The same can be said about Africa Day and our great continent. But all this can and must change as a matter of urgency.

The call for urgency in Nkrumah’s 1963 speech is even more relevant today.

“The resources are there. It is for us to marshal them in the active service of our people. Unless we do this by our concerted efforts, within the framework of our combined planning, we shall not progress at the tempo demanded by today’s events and the mood of our people. The symptoms of our troubles will grow…”