Ubuntu
and the African Renaissance
Remarks by the Hon. David
Kilgour, MP for Edmonton
Southeast
and Secretary of State for
Africa and Latin America
For the 11th Anniversary
of Nelson Mandela’s
Walk to Freedom
February 12, 2001
I would like
to welcome Dr. Makgoba here this evening.
We are very fortunate that Dr. Makgoba has
taken time to share his views on the future
of a continent we all hold so dear. Allow
me also to thank the South African High
Commission, the National Archives of Canada
and the Ubuntu and African Renaissance Group
for all their hard work. Their efforts have
made tonight’s event possible. Finally,
it is important that we welcome all the
young people here. Indeed, it will very
soon be their responsibility to ensure that
the African renaissance remains on track.
Like most
of you here this evening, I want to ensure
that Canada not only responds to events
across Africa, but has the foresight to
implement policies that will contribute
significantly towards the African Renaissance.
Whether by contributing peacekeepers to
UNMEE forces in Eritrea/Ethiopia, or through
humanitarian funding undertaken by CIDA,
or though the financial support of peace
initiatives such as the Arusha Accords,
Canada must play an active role in ensuring
that a sustainable, peaceful context prevails
in which this renaissance can flourish.
This evening,
of course, marks a key moment in Africa’s
history. Nelson Mandela’s walk to freedom
11 years ago yesterday signified not only
the beginning of a new era in South African
politics, but also how Africa as a whole
would be perceived around the world. Having
someone of Mr. Mandela’s strength and
character be a constant voice has without
doubt accelerated the revival of an awareness
about Africa, its issues, its problems,
and most importantly its splendour. He is
a fine model of the presence and spirit
of Africa. Some say that 200 years from
now he will be the most respected and loved
world leader of our times.
South Africa’s
important role in this revival is also undeniable.
President Thabo Mbeki has consistently embraced
this role, most recently in a speech he
gave at the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland. Most encouraging is South Africa’s
efforts to demonstrate that Africa isn’t
always conflicts and bad news: Africa offers
hope and potential. It is up to Africa’s
friends to do what they can to bring that
about. South Africa plays an important bridging
role in this process – through its
economic and technological prominence, its
high profile membership in a number of multilateral
organisations (such as the Commonwealth
and the Southern African Development Community)
– and thus can help educate Africa’s
friends as to what the most effective and
productive course of action is to help Africa
help itself. That said, it is equally important
that we recognise that South Africa has
a finite ability to play this role. It has
its own problems. We must be prepared to
listen carefully to Dr. Makgoba, and then
act to ensure that the African Renaissance
stays on course.
Obviously,
it is all to easy to stray from this course
by focussing on the immense hardships that
Africa is faced with. Disease, poverty,
and war continue to ravage large swaths
of the continent. Many African states are
currently mired in conflict, with the ‘arc
of crises’ stretching from Angola to
the Upper Nile basin. The continent accounts
for half of the world’s war related
deaths and struggles to assist 8 million
refugees. A dozen major wars and twice as
many rumblings insurrections continue to
cause devastation, resulting in the death
or displacement of innocent civilians. While
it is true that there will be no peace without
development, there will certainly be no
development without peace.
What of the
hope for this peace; a peace that would
act as the foundation upon which the African
renaissance can be constructed. Indeed,
there is evidence aplenty that peace and
prosperity are possible. Africa is moving
forward, and some of its countries are experiencing
the fastest economic growth in the world
in percentage terms. Botswana, for example,
has an annual GNP growth rate of 13% and
its industrial sector has for years been
among the fastest growing in the world.
As well, the beginnings of regional trade
and economic groupings are forming in West
Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa.
The Southern African Development Community,
for example, represents a market of 186
million people with a combined GNP of US$
178 billion. This region aims to establish
a free trade area by 2002.
Last month,
I had the honour of being in Accra to witness
the inauguration of President Kufour. The
peaceful transition of authority and the
manner in which the elections were held
in Ghana make it a beacon of hope in a region
increasingly troubled of late by civil strife.
Ten days ago, I met with Joseph Kabila,
the new president of the Democratic Republic
of Congo. His diplomatic efforts since the
death of his father to bring peace to the
DRC have been nothing short of astonishing.
Granted, some are expressing a certain amount
of caution, and rightfully so, but, a tenuous
cease fire has held in the recent weeks
in the DRC. On the surface, it seems like
this may be a prime opportunity to put an
end to what has been called Africa’s
“World War”.
There is
a great deal we can all do to help build
the African Renaissance. Our daughter, for
example, is a volunteer in a high school
in northern Tanzania. We live in a country
that is one of the greatest in world. One
of the reasons for this is the positive
psychological climate that exists, built
on the values of compassion, tolerance,
and down-to-earth optimism.
We must attempt
to recreate this environment when dealing
with Africa. This will not be achieved by
responding to problems with negative attitudes.
It is up to all of us to remain positive
and optimistic. After all, lest we forget
our own history, the magnificent results
of the European Renaissance of the 14th
century were also born out of grappling
with disease and catastrophe. When we think
of how far we have come since, with the
technological means now at our disposal,
the outlook for Africa must not be anything
but optimistic.
By listening
to Africans and leaders such as Dr. Magkoba,
and working hand-in-hand with them, success
will come. Canada and other so-called developed
countries have their own huge challenges
in meeting the needs of their citizens,
and that we can learn much from Africans
and their own experiences with key societal
institutions such as the family. Our efforts
to promote human, social and economic development
is a collaborative effort. This effort coupled
with an optimistic attitude will ensure
that Africa, and its renaissance thrives
in the new Millennium. This must be the
century of Africa.
Thank you.
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