Maravi

Restore human dignity

Restore human dignity
Written by Editor

AFRICA Freedom Day continues to remind us of the great strides that our country, and many others on the continent, have made towards political independence. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a country and undoubtedly, it is a significant day especially that freedom and independence were distant dreams for Africans.

But it is important to remind ourselves that the political freedom that our country is currently enjoying has not led to economic freedom or sustained economic growth and development. The absence of economic freedom has consequently continued to compromise the essence of the political freedom, which was secured after great sacrifice and determination. Political freedom alone cannot be desirable for our people and there is need for our leaders to reflect on this matter seriously.

For years now, our people have continued to face numerous challenges ranging from poverty, disease, unemployment, illiteracy and marginalisation. The gap between the desperately poor and the rich has continued to widen. The fact that there are a few people in Zambia leading opulent lives, especially in urban areas, should not be taken as an indicator of economic progress. These few people are living well amid grinding widespread poverty.

However, we know that our countries are too poor to give our people great material wealth, but they can give them a sense of equality, of human dignity. Human dignity refers to the worthiness, the importance of every person. The principle of human dignity is a universal affirmation and starts from the book of Genesis in the Bible where we are told that human beings are created in the image of God. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 also states that: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. However, it is difficult to fathom why people, especially the poor, have continued to be exploited, why they are treated as second-class citizens in their own countries, why governments continue to make decisions that put our people's livelihoods at risk, why those in power still think that violence and threats are the only way of handling divergent views. There is need to ensure that people are respected and given back their dignity.

Our freedom will mean very little, if not nothing, if it is not accompanied by the setting up of governments that truly arise from the people, are closely linked with the people, have the genuine support of people and struggle for the people and the people's interests. Our people need to be free to elect their own leaders, they need to have a greater say in the manner in which they are governed. Democracy entails people being free to choose their leaders and to hold them accountable for their policies and conduct in office. In this case, government is purely based on the consent of the governed. There is need to ensure that the people continue to be the highest form of political authority and power should flow from the people to the government leaders, who hold it temporarily. For as long as the majority of the people in our country or anywhere on the continent feel oppressed, are not allowed democratic participation in decision-making processes, and cannot elect their leaders through free and fair elections, the essence of the political freedom we are commemorating today will continue to be less appreciated.

We have always said that our freedom should imply the defence of all the rights of citizens, including the right to national dignity and honour. There is no democracy that can function without guaranteeing fundamental rights of citizens. Yes, citizens have an obligation to be informed about public issues, to watch carefully how their political leaders and representatives use their powers, and to express their own opinions and interests. Our people have a right to association, expression, religion and assembly among others. These inalienable rights are inherent and fundamental and should be protected, defended and respected as opposed to what we are currently experiencing where governments choose to trample on these rights to consolidate their hold on power.

We need to remember that to be free, to have freedom, is not merely to cast off one's chains of colonial bondage, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the lives of others. People need to be free to determine their own destiny. Democracy can only be an agent of freedom if it gives people the meaningful voting choices and if it ensures that people have accurate and unbiased information to make an informed choice that is in their interest.

As a people, we are perfectly capable of deciding our own future and dealing with any dangers that might arise. We need to exert ourselves that much more and break out of the vicious cycle of dependence imposed on us by the financially powerful; those who dare to fashion the world in their own image.

As we stand on the threshold of a new African era characterised by democracy and sustainable economic development and a re-awakening of our rich cultural values and heritage, African unity should remain our watchword and the African Union a guide. Let us teach our children that Africans are not one inch inferior to Europeans, Americans or Asians. The lack of human dignity experienced by Africans is the direct result of the policy of white supremacy and all of us, descendants of Africa, know too well that racism demeans the victims and dehumanises its perpetrators. We should not in any way pin our hopes on the kindness or benevolence of our former colonisers, or imperialism and its lackeys. We will only triumph by strengthening our unity and persevering in our struggle, of course anchoring our long-term goals on determination to extricate ourselves and the continent from the shackles of underdevelopment and exclusion.

We can determine our own destiny, we can at least start today by giving back our people their sense of equality and dignity.

Labels: AFRICA FREEDOM DAY, ECONOMY, INDEPENDENCE

posted by MrK @ 3:01 PM