To my distinguished colleague His Excellency Rupiah Banda, the
Center Chairperson Ambassador Stith, the University of Mpumalanga Vice
Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso and the Chairman of the South Africa
National Lottery Professor Alfred Nevhutanda .
I am glad to be here for the launch of this partnership between the
African Presidential Leadership Center and the University of Mpumalanga.
As you may know , I was an African-leader- in residence at the
African Presidential Center in Boston. One of the things Charles I
talked about when I was in Boston was about the possibility of such a
Center being launched on the continent of Africa. I am glad that day has
finally come.
Now that the Southern African region is covered, let me go on record,
and say I look forward to us launching such a Center in Kenya to cover
the East African region.
My residency provided many rich opportunities to engage with young
people, not only in Boston but all across America. It was an opportunity
to not only meet Americans, but also Africans in the Diaspora. It was
also an opportunity to reflect on Africa from outside, looking in.
Each occasion was a unique and special opportunity. The opportunity
to learn first hand about the dreams and aspirations of the next
generation was something I found profoundly meaningful. Likewise, to be
able to share with those next generational leaders how their aspirations
are anchored in my generation’s hopes and dreams for them was something
they found of value as well. Just as my generation built on the
foundation of leaders like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta,
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah, among others.
The next generation of leaders will build, and should build on the
expanded foundation laid by my generation. That is as it should be. This
Center, and those that will come later, will ensure that generational
continuity.
The center comes at a moment of great promise and equally great promise.
On the promise side, the Continent is reaping the democracy dividend
that has resulted in six of the world’s ten fastest-growing countries
being in Africa. This is monumental leap considering that from 1974
through the mid-1990s, Africa’s growth was negative, reaching negative
1.5 percent in 1990-94.
On the peril side, Africa is beginning to send mixed signals on
democracy and governance, with our march to democracy increasingly
getting fragile and contestable.
We have seen bright spots with regard to democratization emerge in
Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast among a few other formerly troubled
nations. We are proud of their progress and pray for their success in
the hope that they can pull up the rest of the Continent.
But as Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana rise, some neighbours are
embroiled in old troubles. In March 2012, Mali underwent a military
coup. Although Mali is back from the brink, it is not yet the country
that was once listed among those spearheading Africa’s renaissance.
In 2014, Blaise Compaoré was forced out after 27 years at the helm of
Burkina Faso through a citizen’s protest dubbed Balai Citoyen (Citizen’s
Broom). Kenya erupted in 2007.
Many countries are revising their constitutions to remove
presidential term limits with the quests for extensions often couched in
a language that portrays a leader’s desire for more time in office as a
response to popular demands. The spectre of presidents for life looms
large again as we set up this centre. The more reason I believe Africa
needs this centre. In the 21st Century, Africa needs to nurture strong
institutions, not strong men.
I see this centre playing that role.
Madame Vice Chancellor and my brother Charles, this collaboration is
therefore critically important and I am glad to be here today for this
historic occasion. I look forward to participating in the Center’s
programs in the years to come and, as I said earlier, I look forward to
inaugurating a similar Center in the East African region. Let me extend a
personal invitation for all of you to join us when we do.
Thanks for inviting me for this launch event.
22.03.2016.