Rustenburg - Africa Day was a time to celebrate Africa’s successes and to reflect on its problems and challenges, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday.
“Some of our members came from various African countries and contributed to the South African mining economy. They contributed immensely to the industrialisation of South Africa. The NUM will participate in all programmes designed to educate communities about diversity and the importance of unity of the working class beyond the colonial borders,” said secretary general Frans Baleni.
“It is still totally unacceptable and inexcusable that immigrants can be attacked for being immigrants in a country which purports to support human rights,” he said.
“The working class and the poor should be united against the common enemy, i.e. oppressive regimes and capitalist exploitation. We cannot wage war against each other. Workers of the world should unite, and therefore we must discourage this malady.”
He said Africans have been betrayed following the independence of various countries on the continent.
‘They (Africans) have been betrayed by the superpowers, who used Africa as a battlefield in the fight for global domination, and sanctioned corruption and tyranny as long as their interests are served. Most of all, they have been betrayed by their own leaders who have done little but bask in personality cults and fill foreign bank accounts”
Baleni said Africa needed a new generation of leaders to turn the tide.
“A new generation of leaders who will focus on rebuilding Africa post colonization. A new generation of leaders who will invest and build effective and efficient resources exploitation to benefit the African economy and eliminate poverty, unemployment and severe inequalities that are affecting the continent.”
Pining the blame on superpowers and colonialists was no longer the trump card it once was, he said.
“Africans are now willing to say publicly that Africa has failed and that Africans themselves have to take a share of the blame. Africa continues to make steady economic, social and political progress. It is time for Africa to invest in education, health and infrastructure to improve its economy,” said Baleni.
“The challenge is to educate and empower women and children who represent Africa’s future. If we empower women and children, we help build better, more equal and more prosperous societies.”
The union said it believed that African governments should do more to end violence against women and children.
“Despite an overall decline in the number of conflicts, too many Africans still experience violent conflict. Women and girls bear the brunt and are frequent targets of sexual violence and abuse.”
At least seven people, including Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole were killed and over 300 arrested after attacks on foreigners broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and spilled over into Gauteng in April.
ANA