Africa's riches for its people - Zuma
A CELEBRATION of the ANC's centenary would be incomplete if it did not take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the headquarters of the African Union.
GOING GREEN: President Jacob Zuma plants a tree at the new African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With him is South Africa's Ambassador to the AU Lungile Pepani.photo: ReutersWhen we celebrate the ANC's 100th anniversary we do so fully aware that the ANC is not just a South African liberation movement. It belongs to the continent, and many people in Africa share its perspective and vision.
Delegates at the founding conference of the ANC in 1912 came from beyond South Africa. They came from Botswana, eastern part of Zambia, Swaziland and Lesotho to name but a few, with African unity as the primary theme.
Immediately after the launch of the armed struggle former ANC president Nelson Mandela visited Addis Ababa on July 11 1962 to attend a conference of the Pan-African Freedom Movement and to seek military and political support for our struggle.
Mandela, in his recollections, says Emperor Haille Selassie was the first head of state he saw in his life! He was fascinated by the formalities around a head of state.
Ethiopia has a special place in our hearts and in our struggle, for hosting Madiba then, and another former president of the ANC whom we admire and respect immensely, Oliver Tambo.
We were fortunate to have had Tambo as a leader of our movement during a critical period. As our foremost diplomat, he opened several international missions and personally campaigned to expand support and solidarity.
He was always welcomed with open arms on the continent.
In 1976, for the first time ever, the ANC addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. We thank Africa for opening the doors to the world in that manner.
We are proud to be celebrating the centenary of the ANC during a period when Africa is rising.
The latest International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook says that Africa's growth will be almost 5.5% in 2012 and 5.3% in 2013.
This is at a time when other regions are struggling.
We are making progress politically as well.
Africa has moved steadily towards free, multi-party and accountable political systems since the end of the Cold War.
Economic governance in Africa has improved. The management of fiscal and monetary policy is much stronger than 20 or 30 years ago.
What we must do then, is to use the natural and human resources we have for the betterment of our continent.
One of the early presidents of the ANC, Pixley ka Isaka Seme wrote in April 1906 in his article the Regeneration of Africa, that: "The African is not a proletarian in the world of science and art. He has precious creations of his own, of ivory, of copper and of gold, fine, plated willow-ware and weapons of superior workmanship.''
These riches of our continent must benefit our people, and be utilised to create a better life for all, for us to achieve the dream and goals of the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and progressive liberation movements on our continent.
During this milestone year we recommit ourselves to play a meaningful role in the continent, in whatever way is required of us, to participate in building our continent.
The struggle continues in Africa, that of liberating our people from poverty, deprivation and to achieve peace and stability in every corner of the continent.
Work also continues to achieve economic prosperity. The regional integration that we seek, the promotion of intra-African trade and other interventions are designed to take Africa forward towards prosperity and a better life for her people. To achieve these goals, Africa must be united.
That was the goal of the founders of the ANC in 1912 and those of the OAU in 1963.
This means we must strengthen the African Union (AU) to enable it to play its role of uniting the continent and leading Africa to sustainable development and prosperity.
The AU must also play a leading role in defending the interests of Africa in multilateral international bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The AU's voice must be heard as it fights for Africa to be accorded the respect it deserves as a regional organisation.
The AU must fight interference in the affairs of the African continent, especially by international forces who are pursuing their own agendas.
South Africa will continue to play a role as an active member of the AU and the Southern African Development Community .
We are happy to be part of the march forward towards unity, prosperity and development for the African continent.
The ANC celebrates its centenary on an upward trend.
The membership has grown to more than a million, and it enjoys the support of massive majority of the South African people. It has a role to play on the continent and will continue to play it.
l This is an edited version of President Zuma's speech during a gala dinner on the sidelines of the African Union Summit to celebrate the ANC centenary
maneater
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