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Youth Forum Africa Day message
Youth Forum
May 25, 2010

The Youth Forum is pleased to join the Zimbabwean populace, the African continent and Diaspora in commemorating this year's edition of Africa Day. Forty-seven years ago, African leaders of the few countries that had attained independence converged in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and formed what was then known as the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U), now known as the African Union (A.U.). Their main task then was to rid the continent of the remaining shackles of colonialism while setting the ground for sustainable development on the continent.

Forty-seven years down the line, it is worth noting that Africa has fought hard to rid itself of colonialism. However, it is sustainable development that continues to elude the continent. The African continent continues to be the bed-rock of poverty, hunger and disease. The continent continues to be the scene of bloody coup-de-tats, civil wars and bloody execution of opposition leaders, their only crime being that they dare to challenge the status quo. It is quite sad that Africa continues to be pulled back by self-serving leaders who are failing to embrace democracy and good governance in their countries. It is increasingly becoming rare on the continent to have elections that are not marred by violence, allegations of vote-rigging and persecution of opposition parties' officials and supporters. Government and other public officials continue to be fingered in corruption rackets that are severely crippling quality service delivery to the ordinary citizens. Empowerment of the ordinary masses continues to be a pipe-dream, with only the ruling elite benefiting from the empowerment laws being promulgated by African governments.

The Youth Forum continues to call upon progressive Africans to stand firm in defense of justice and development for all on the continent. 'African brotherhood' will do the continent no good if it is in defense of dictators and leaders who are bent on subverting the will of their people. We call upon African leaders to be firm enough in telling each other when their peers are in the wrong. It will do the continent no good to continue subverting the will of the people in the name of 'coalition governments' meant to prolong the stay of their 'liberation movement brothers' in power. It should be the mandate of the people of any country to decide who governs them and for how long.

It is praiseworthy that the 2010 Africa Day commemorations are being held at a time when the continent prepares to host the first football World Cup on African soil in less than a month's time. Such developments are worth the compliment and we salute South Africa for successfully bidding to host the tournament. It is our sincere hope that Africa will reap huge rewards from this tournament and that other nations on the continent will follow and emulate this noble feat that South Africa has accomplished on behalf of the African continent.

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