Did the Pan-African Dream Die With Apartheid?
Moeletsi Mbeki argued passionately that Africans, who are among the "bottom billion" of the world's poorest citizens, need the U.S. and its people. Even South Africa, the economic engine of the continent, is not exempt, he said. Recent energy problems not only darkened our dinner parties but brought to a halt digging in the mines—the country's major income generator. Scientists predict more gloom and doom in the future, including layoffs in a country where more than 25 percent are unemployed. Unemployment is probably closer to 50 percent in the under-served and under-resourced black townships and even worse in its simmering informal settlements—a politically correct euphemism for slums..
And then, Moeletsi dropped this bomb: "…So the cocktail that exploded in Kenya is brewing in South Africa."
Mbeki's older brother, Thabo, would not agree, as he made clear during his State of the Nation speech on February 8. In the speech, President Mbeki apologized for the inconvenience caused by the massive power outages. This mea culpa followed an earlier acknowledgement by his government that they had essentially screwed up by not heeding the warnings of the experts who told the government ten years ago that a crisis was looming in the power sector. Still, Older Brother stood before well-turned out (couture-wise) members of Parliament and rejected the naysayers:
"You will ask whether I agree with this assessment, whether I, too, believe that we have entered an era of confusion in which all of us cannot but lose our way, unsure of our steps, unsteady on our feet, fearful of the future! My answer to this question is a definite 'No!' "
Well, skeptics abound. And, sorry to resort to an old cliché, but when appropriate, why not? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Resurrection is meeting soon. In time, members will no doubt be reaching out to like-minded African Americans, hoping that they will answer when the call comes because they know why it's important—or are open to learn.
Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a Johannesburg-based journalist and author of "New News Out of Africa: Uncovering the African Renaissance".
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Did the Pan-African Dream Die With Apartheid?
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View All Comments »roquad at 03/17/2008 9:49:09 AM
Comment:
This is a very interesting Article. One of the most thought provoking ideas is that, "....most Africans don't feel the need to identify with African Americans". This idea when encompassed with the tribal view that most Africa American have Africans unfortunately compounds the circumstances. However having lived on the continent I know that our futures are intertwined. Both of the previously stated ideas have roots in colonialism. I believe it correct that the effort to forage Pan-Africanism should take place in both SA Universities, and HBCU's. The post colonial age will review the affects of colonialism in a different light then it has been in recent history. These universities have the ability to provide a more critical commentary on the colonial age and its affects. As a result the possibility may be that young Africans and African Americans will see how truly tied together they are.
Zyambo at 02/20/2008 11:16:02 PM
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It always sems to me that an average African-American couldn't care less about African affairs. Maybe it's the fact that they are too busy trying to survive in America. But if anyone cared at all, we'd have lots of them holidaying in the motherland and we sure would have seen a lot of African names adopted and slave names dropped..
I want to see some changes people!
umfundisi at 02/18/2008 5:33:35 PM
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The Pan-African dream has never died and is well and alive everyday in the streets of Atlanta, Queens, London, Paris and Cape Town. I have met Africans resident outside of Africa who have formed lasting partnerships with their African-American colleagues. I belonged to a small group of pan-africans in Cape Town during a brief research at UCT. Pan-Africanism exists in the younger groups who interact, travel, blog and share other experiences. So the focus needs to shift from a paradigmn that focuses on the "leaders" or elites to the ordinary communion.