PRESENT and former African presidents attending the ANC centenary celebrations have spoken about the new struggles following the demise of apartheid and colonialism.
Speaking at the ANC's dinner on Saturday, they said Africa needed to tackle new challenges, including safeguarding freedoms, fighting poverty and disease, and affirming women.
The leaders used the centenary dinner to reminisce about the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, heap praises on the ANC and to highlight Africa's new troubles.
Ugandan President Yuweri Museveni challenged African leaders to analyse the colonisation of the continent and to determine if they had insurance to safeguard freedom.
"Africa belongs to us. It is free. My own insurance is Uganda. It is safe. I am insured. Let's protect our Africa," Museveni said.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the ANC celebrations were not about making speeches, but to show how difficult it had been to fight the apartheid government.
"The continent is free now. How do we then free our people from poverty and many other things?" Pohamba asked.
Zambian President Micheal Sata said reaching 100 years in itself did not mean much . What was important, however, were the achievements of the Struggle.
"In my country we look up to the ANC. It's a dynamic organisation. We have to learn from the ANC. President Jacob Zuma, do not worry if they call your (Cabinet) baboons. You should not care," Sata said.
Sata said Zambia and South Africa had something in common, including the removal of presidents from power in a democratic contest.
Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, who received a standing ovation during the dinner, urged African leaders not to disown Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who was represented by his deputy Joyce Mujuru. Kaunda blamed Britain, the former coloniser, for Zimbabwe's troubles.
"We know there are many problems even now. We have to fight poverty, corruption and diseases," Kaunda said.
Former president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings said the new challenge was to ensure the empowerment of women and to safeguard freedom.
Thabo Mbeki and Zuma also attended the dinner, but they did not speak.
African heads heap praises on ANC
PRESENT and former African presidents attending the ANC centenary celebrations have spoken about the new struggles following the demise of apartheid and colonialism.
Speaking at the ANC's dinner on Saturday, they said Africa needed to tackle new challenges, including safeguarding freedoms, fighting poverty and disease, and affirming women.
The leaders used the centenary dinner to reminisce about the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, heap praises on the ANC and to highlight Africa's new troubles.
Ugandan President Yuweri Museveni challenged African leaders to analyse the colonisation of the continent and to determine if they had insurance to safeguard freedom.
"Africa belongs to us. It is free. My own insurance is Uganda. It is safe. I am insured. Let's protect our Africa," Museveni said.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the ANC celebrations were not about making speeches, but to show how difficult it had been to fight the apartheid government.
"The continent is free now. How do we then free our people from poverty and many other things?" Pohamba asked.
Zambian President Micheal Sata said reaching 100 years in itself did not mean much . What was important, however, were the achievements of the Struggle.
"In my country we look up to the ANC. It's a dynamic organisation. We have to learn from the ANC. President Jacob Zuma, do not worry if they call your (Cabinet) baboons. You should not care," Sata said.
Sata said Zambia and South Africa had something in common, including the removal of presidents from power in a democratic contest.
Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, who received a standing ovation during the dinner, urged African leaders not to disown Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who was represented by his deputy Joyce Mujuru. Kaunda blamed Britain, the former coloniser, for Zimbabwe's troubles.
"We know there are many problems even now. We have to fight poverty, corruption and diseases," Kaunda said.
Former president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings said the new challenge was to ensure the empowerment of women and to safeguard freedom.
Thabo Mbeki and Zuma also attended the dinner, but they did not speak.
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