Former Ambassador Haley completes Zimbabwe tour
Former U.S. Ambassador to Gambia, George W. Haley, concluded a series of lectures in Mutare and Harare in Zimbabwe, in which he talked about the history of the African American experience in the U.S. summing it as a journey from Kunta Kinte to President Barack Obama.
“From the stand-point of African- Americans, we have come a long way in getting to the President of the United States. I generally think in terms of a theme, like from Kunta Kinte to now, to Obama, that’s a long trip in the history of America,” said the former Ambassador in his address to nearly 50 members of the media at the Quill Press Club in Harare on Friday February 6th.
“ There is no doubt in my mind that it (Obama’s presidency) should benefit not only us, but the motherland too…There is great interest in Africa now and it becomes our mission, our responsibility, our challenge to take advantage of these experiences in the United States and certainly yours here,” said Haley. Read more
The prime leader is a master communicator
“And it came about, when Jesus had come to the end of these words, that the people were surprised at his teaching, for he was teaching as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” - Matthew 7:28, 29.
All great leaders in history were masters of communication. They were able to reach a mixed population with their philosophy and get them moved deeply enough to be devoted to their cause. Many times I have listened to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech and I am amazed at how the man used the power of words so efficiently. The multitude that listened to that speech identified with the dream that he had. Even today, people listen to that speech and are able to connect to the man’s passion. How about the new president of the United States? I can understand why he is the president. The man has great appeal in his speech that convinces you that he absolutely believes what he is saying and not just saying it. I listened to a speech he gave in 2004 campaigning for someone else. It was such a powerful speech delivered in about twelve minutes. That is the power of the Prime Leader; the power to utilise words like no average person. Read more
I too have a dream
Based on Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech (1963)
The day is coming when every Zimbabwean will sing in the words of Morgan Tsvangirai: "Change you ways! Chinja maitiro! Guqula izenzo! Thank God Almighty, change has come!"
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as a turning point for freedom in the history of our nation.
One score and eight years ago, some great Zimbabweans, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, witnessed the victory celebration of their hard won fight. This momentous ocassion came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Zimbabweans who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their subjugation.
But 28 years later, the Zimbabwean still is not free. One hundred and twelve years after Mbuya Nehanda inspired the first war of Chimurenga, the life of the Zimbabwean native is still sadly crippled by the manacles of power mongering and the chains of corruption. One hundred and twelve years later, the Zimbabwean lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred and twelve years later, the Zimbabwean is still languished in the corners of Global society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to start to put an end to a shameful condition.
In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a cheque. When the architects of our revolution wrote the magnificent words of the original Constitution and, they were signing a promissory note to which every Zimbabwean was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all people- yes, black as well as white, coloured as well as Indian , Ndebele as well as Shona - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Read more
