SPYL urges young people to understand their history
By Staff Reporter
SOCIALIST Party youth league interim deputy secretary Kyle Haselsteiner says there is need for young people to learn about the early colonial era in Africa.
Haselsteiner noted that young people were taught a history of collusion, compromise and betrayal, but not about people’s fierce resistance and defiance against the invading imperial powers.
“We are not taught about the valour and sacrifice of the 10,000 Ngoni soldiers who stood valiantly, beside their Commander Nsingu, against the marauding army of Cecil John Rhodes,” said Haselsteiner.
“Let us not celebrate Africa Day with hollow political spectacles, we dedicate this day to honour all those, who following the example of those 10,000 Ngoni soldiers, stood against the defenders of privilege”.
Haselsteiner has paid tribute to the Zambian young people who were guided by national consciousness, and died fighting for the liberation of Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
“We appreciate those who fought in the People’s Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, the Mozambique Liberation Front, the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Azanian People’s Liberation Army,” he said.
Haselsteiner said the forces that unite people were intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences, that keep them apart.
He said Zambia had a proud history as a force for continental liberation, and that it was everyone’s collective duty to teach this history and to restore Zambia’s position as a citadel of Pan Africanism.
“In our relentless pursuit of a socialist revolution we remember that our efforts and objectives are not confined or restricted to the imposed artificial borders we occupy. Today we commemorate all those who fought and continue to fight for the liberation and unity of the African continent,” said Haselsteiner.
On May 25, 2019 Zambia joined the rest of Africa to commemorate this year’s African Freedom Day under theme: the year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: Towards durable solutions to force displacement in Africa.
