On Saturday, May 25 May 2024, Africans all over the world commemorated Africa Day. This year’s Africa Day comes on the 61st anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was formed for the pursuit of the liberation of Africa from the shackles of colonialism. The OAU later transformed into the African Union (AU).
I had the great privilege of celebrating this day with A Listers at the ICWT Africa Day Gala hosted by AMH Chairperson and host of the popular show In Conversation with Trevor held at Cresta Lodge in the evening of 23 May 2024. The highlight of the day was a keynote address by Shingai Mutasa, a leading African entrepreneur, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Masawara.
In his keynote address, Shingai spoke passionately about the need for Africans to stay true to their identity. He laid out his vision for Africa, that in the next 40 years, Africa must have a say in the community of nations. But that will not happen until we realise that colonialism is a mindset. “Our minds require a reset.” He spoke about the need to strengthen the next generation with a focus in building a leadership that will deliver on the African vision.
Following his keynote address, I had the privilege to be part of the panel moderated by Trevor Ncube that responded to the keynote address. On the panel were Nyaradzo Dhliwayo Moyo , Prechard Mhako and Nyasha Zhou.
I generally agreed with Shingai on the need to build a generation of leaders to deliver on the African vision. On his list of leaders, Shingai has mentioned political leadership, business leadership and military leadership. “But something is missing in this matrix,” I said.
I looked around the room and saw the civic leaders I respect and admire. Leading human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa was in the room. Former Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Arthur Mutambara was in the room.
I highlighted that the liberation of Africa would not have been possible without the courageous civic leadership of that time and that we will not be able to deliver on the African vision so well-articulated by Shingai without courageous civic leaders like Ms. Beatrice Mtetwa and Prof. Arthur Mutambara. I also highlighted that as business leaders play their role, they will need to pay attention to the needs of the communities they are working in so that they do not duplicate in the future the atrocities of the past.
It was a beautiful night to reflect on this important issue. These are not spaces that I usually frequent. But my brother Musa Kika has time and again emphasised to me that these are spaces where human rights advocates must be seen, so that we are not always preaching to ourselves. The message of leadership with compassion, business with conscience is a message that our nation needs. At Zimbabwe Human Rights Association we are documenting alarming atrocities in communities that are committed by businesses that seek profits without paying attention to their human rights obligations. In the new scramble for African resources, the wisdom of Nelson Mandela becomes key.
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
The business community, in the pursuit of growth, must do so in a manner that respects the freedoms and dignity of the communities in which they operate. That is a non-negotiable in the pursuit of the African vision.
Thank you, Trevor, and the Heart and Soul Broadcasting Services team for creating space for this important conversation.
