A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying so goes a popular saying. Africa has had and still continues to have great leaders of people who are visionary, patriotic and competent compared to the crops of current leaders across the continent now.
Nelson Mandela and Muammar Gaddafi
Remember iconic and great leaders such as Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Patrice Lumumba of Congo, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Others include Sir Seretse Maphiri Khama of Botswana, Leopold Senghor of Senegal and the living legend Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
What made many of these leaders great and memorable?
Kenneth Kaunda(r) with US civil rights leader, Martin Luther King
Their vision and passion for their countries, their pan-African dream and pursuit of a united and strong Africa, their sense of pride of their Africanness in the face of imperialism and their lifestyle of integrity and exemplary leadership.
Thomas Sankara;
Known as Africa’s Che Guvara, the late president of Burkina Faso was one of the few genuine African leaders of his time who truly loved his country and the continent.
Thomas Sankara was regarded as a charismatic and iconic figure of African revolution. He came to power in a radical and revolutionary military coup in 1983.
Before he became president, Burkinabe Ministers used Mercedes Benz cars. On assumption of office, Sankara sold them and bought cheapest cars you could find, Renault 5 cars for the Minister to save costs and prevent reckless spending from the government.
Sankara revived his country’s economy by enforcing the rule of proudly Burkina Faso and he refused foreign aid. Particularly, clothing and textile industries received a boost during his tenure. He ensured that only clothing and other products made in Burkina Faso are bought and used in the country.
Julius Nyerere
Till today, Burkinabes don’t buy second hand clothes. During his time, Burkina Faso agricultural sector prospered. He only had $350 when he died.
Sankara’s Famous quote:
“We cannot repay the debt because we are not responsible for this debt. On the contrary, others owe us something that no money can pay for. That is to say, the debt of blood.”
Kwame Nkrumah:
Nkrumah was one of the fathers of Pan-Africanism right in Africa. He argued for a United Africa. He even built an African parliament but he lost the argument at the then Organisation of African Union -OAU, now AU.
It is believed what Nkruman did in 7 years, no Ghanaian president has ever achieved.
During his speech of 1963, said Ghana's Independence was nothing without the whole of Africa being independent. Many scholars have recommended that the speech should be taught everywhere in Africa.
Nkrumah’s Famous Quote:
"Our Independence is meaningless until it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent."
Muammar Gaddafi
Gaddafi demonstrated that Africa can do it with his dream of United State of Africa. Gaddafi gave grants to lots of African countries and aided them gain Independence by training their freedom fighters who would later be leaders of respective countries.
His vision was to show that the black man was capable of handling his own affairs.
Gaddafi’s Famous Quote:
“During my time in AU, I will initiate an organised compensation claim for Africa and I will fight for a greater voice for Africa in the United Nations.”
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere
A revolutionary giant in his own right, gifted and morally upright, Julius Nyerere also known as the teacher was one of the humble and simple leaders Africa ever had.
Nyerere brought together a nation of different tribes and made them equal citizens. The buildings he built for the poor in Zanzibar still stand till this day.
Nyerere’s Famous Quote:
“Unity will not make us rich but can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated.”
Dr. Nelson Mandela
Popularly known as Madiba, Nelson Mandela will be remembered for his sacrifice of fighting for South Africa in the freedom struggle against white minority apartheid rule.
Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his ideas which he boasted he was ready to die for. Upon his release, Mandela became first democratically elected black president of South Africa.
However, Mandela chose the path of honour, rather than taking revenge against his persecutors, he preached reconciliation and forgiveness to heal the wounds of the past.
Mandela’s Famous Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth Kaunda is a revolutionary and the first president of Zambia. He is remembered for his great book in Africa Writer Series- Zambia Shall Be Free- the book catalogues his political experience and the struggle for freedom in Zambia.
Kaunda’s government was responsible for hosting thousands of African freedom fighters who found home away from in Zambia. He has been profiled for nomination in the prestigious 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong contribution to peace in the southern Africa.
Kaunda's Famous Quote:
“Ambition never comes to an end.”
Other great leaders that deserve a mention include leaders such as Gamal Nasser and Murtala Mohammed on it, Amilcar Cabral Agostinho Neto, Pixley ka Isaka Seme of Azania, Amilcar Cabral of Guinea Bissau, Cheikh Anta Diop of Sénégal and Thomas Joseph Mboya of Kenya.
Nelson Mandela and Muammar Gaddafi
Remember iconic and great leaders such as Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Patrice Lumumba of Congo, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Others include Sir Seretse Maphiri Khama of Botswana, Leopold Senghor of Senegal and the living legend Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
What made many of these leaders great and memorable?
Kenneth Kaunda(r) with US civil rights leader, Martin Luther King
Their vision and passion for their countries, their pan-African dream and pursuit of a united and strong Africa, their sense of pride of their Africanness in the face of imperialism and their lifestyle of integrity and exemplary leadership.
Thomas Sankara;
Known as Africa’s Che Guvara, the late president of Burkina Faso was one of the few genuine African leaders of his time who truly loved his country and the continent.
Thomas Sankara was regarded as a charismatic and iconic figure of African revolution. He came to power in a radical and revolutionary military coup in 1983.
Before he became president, Burkinabe Ministers used Mercedes Benz cars. On assumption of office, Sankara sold them and bought cheapest cars you could find, Renault 5 cars for the Minister to save costs and prevent reckless spending from the government.
Sankara revived his country’s economy by enforcing the rule of proudly Burkina Faso and he refused foreign aid. Particularly, clothing and textile industries received a boost during his tenure. He ensured that only clothing and other products made in Burkina Faso are bought and used in the country.
Julius Nyerere
Till today, Burkinabes don’t buy second hand clothes. During his time, Burkina Faso agricultural sector prospered. He only had $350 when he died.
Sankara’s Famous quote:
“We cannot repay the debt because we are not responsible for this debt. On the contrary, others owe us something that no money can pay for. That is to say, the debt of blood.”
Kwame Nkrumah:
Nkrumah was one of the fathers of Pan-Africanism right in Africa. He argued for a United Africa. He even built an African parliament but he lost the argument at the then Organisation of African Union -OAU, now AU.
It is believed what Nkruman did in 7 years, no Ghanaian president has ever achieved.
During his speech of 1963, said Ghana's Independence was nothing without the whole of Africa being independent. Many scholars have recommended that the speech should be taught everywhere in Africa.
Nkrumah’s Famous Quote:
"Our Independence is meaningless until it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent."
Muammar Gaddafi
Gaddafi demonstrated that Africa can do it with his dream of United State of Africa. Gaddafi gave grants to lots of African countries and aided them gain Independence by training their freedom fighters who would later be leaders of respective countries.
His vision was to show that the black man was capable of handling his own affairs.
Gaddafi’s Famous Quote:
“During my time in AU, I will initiate an organised compensation claim for Africa and I will fight for a greater voice for Africa in the United Nations.”
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere
A revolutionary giant in his own right, gifted and morally upright, Julius Nyerere also known as the teacher was one of the humble and simple leaders Africa ever had.
Nyerere brought together a nation of different tribes and made them equal citizens. The buildings he built for the poor in Zanzibar still stand till this day.
Nyerere’s Famous Quote:
“Unity will not make us rich but can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated.”
Dr. Nelson Mandela
Popularly known as Madiba, Nelson Mandela will be remembered for his sacrifice of fighting for South Africa in the freedom struggle against white minority apartheid rule.
Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his ideas which he boasted he was ready to die for. Upon his release, Mandela became first democratically elected black president of South Africa.
However, Mandela chose the path of honour, rather than taking revenge against his persecutors, he preached reconciliation and forgiveness to heal the wounds of the past.
Mandela’s Famous Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth Kaunda is a revolutionary and the first president of Zambia. He is remembered for his great book in Africa Writer Series- Zambia Shall Be Free- the book catalogues his political experience and the struggle for freedom in Zambia.
Kaunda’s government was responsible for hosting thousands of African freedom fighters who found home away from in Zambia. He has been profiled for nomination in the prestigious 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong contribution to peace in the southern Africa.
Kaunda's Famous Quote:
“Ambition never comes to an end.”
Other great leaders that deserve a mention include leaders such as Gamal Nasser and Murtala Mohammed on it, Amilcar Cabral Agostinho Neto, Pixley ka Isaka Seme of Azania, Amilcar Cabral of Guinea Bissau, Cheikh Anta Diop of Sénégal and Thomas Joseph Mboya of Kenya.
