Maravi

KK challenges leaders to wage war on poverty

KK challenges leaders to wage war on poverty
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Fri 13 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

DR Kenneth Kaunda has challenged the current African political leaders to emulate the examples set by African liberators by waging a relentless war against poverty, disease and conflict that have bedeviled the African continent.

Dr Kaunda said he was confident that just as Africa worked and won its war against slavery, colonialism and apartheid, the continent had the capacity to overcome its present challenges.

Dr Kaunda referred to the contributions made by Patrice Lumumba Congo, Julius Nyerere Tanzania, Kwame Nkrumah Ghana, Seko Toure Guinea, Eduardo Mondlane Mozambique, Jomo Kenyatta Kenya, Ben Bella Algeria, Augustino Neto Angola, Nnandi Azikiwe Nigeria, Chief Albert Lithuli and Oliver Tambo South Africa as some of the struggle heroes the current African leaders should emulate.

"To the colonialists, they were terrorists and trouble makers. But to the oppressed people, they were heroes, liberators and leaders. Indeed, even after their death, the lives of these people have continued to inspire us," Dr Kaunda said on Tuesday night at Johannesburg's Sandton International Convention Centre when he bestowed the African President of the Year 2009 award on South African President Jacob Zuma.

Dr Kaunda noted that Africa had sufficient manpower resources to bring about change on the continent.

In accepting his award, President Zuma praised Dr Kaunda for 'his spirit of ubunthu philosophy of humanism which he said had been a guiding moral compass in Zambia.

"It is a special privilege to receive this award from President Kaunda. The former headquarters of the ANC was our home away from home due to Kaunda's solidarity and hospitality that we will never forget as South Africans," President Zuma said adding that the award was special because it was about Africans recognising what they regarded as achievements and appreciating their own.

"While individuals are singled out for awards, this ceremony is also about acknowledging the collective efforts of Africa's people to build a better life," he said.

President Zuma noted that African leaders had pledged to strive to eradicate poverty, disease and conflict and promote trade, investment, economic growth, skills development and stability on the continent.

"To promote good governance, we established the Africa Peer Review Mechanism. To foster economic integration and development, we established the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). These must be the instruments we use to advance the cause of our continent," he said.

President Zuma said if leadership faltered, they expected ordinary citizens, civil society, academics and the media to sound warning bells.

"Good leaders heed these warnings and respond constructively. They do not consider themselves to be above the people and these awards helped remind African leaders of their responsibilities to the people," said President Zuma.

Also honoured at the function were Nigeria's first lady Dr Hajiya Yar' Adua as Best African first lady of the year, the late South African singer Miriam Makeba as Great daughter of Africa and Nigerian academic Alhaji Dr Maitama Sule as Great son of Africa.

The awards founded by the African Consciousness Media and the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation of which Dr Kaunda is chairman, recognise achievements made by the selected recipients in various fields and also serve to honour African leaders.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, POVERTY

posted by MrK @ 3:54 PM