‘Africa must build its dream’

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an African cultural revolution which would help the people of the continent deal with their troubles around poverty, joblessness and inequality.

“In our quest to root out the evils of poverty, unemployment and inequality, we must simultaneously plant the seeds of Africa’s cultural revolution,” Ramaphosa said.

He was addressing the 19th African Renaissance Conference at Chief Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban yesterday. The event was meant to commemorate Africa Day.

“We must purposefully celebrate black excellence and innovation to demonstrate that over millennia, we possessed and refashioned a culture full of energy, strength and vigour,” Ramaphosa said.

The continent’s people must act decisively to reconstruct the Africa of their dreams. This should be inspired by the vision of unity on the continent and its prosperity.

“We must unequivocally state that days of the scramble for Africa to selfishly serve the interests of foreign nations and neo-colonial elites are gone. From the destruction of the ancient African city of Carthage, we must build a new Africa at peace with itself and its neighbours,” Ramaphosa said.

The deputy president said in the process of rebuilding the continent, “our work should not undermine or betray the sacrifices of the heroes of our revolution”.

“We have taken a moment to say we have a sacred duty to harness all our strengths and capabilities to rebuild our country and continent from the ravages of colonial and imperial destruction,” he said.

Imperialism flourished because it made the oppressed believe some of the worst lies about themselves. He said some believe that to be black and African carried a burdensome weight.

“A more humane and just world cannot blossom without an African renaissance.”