By Ziyah News Reporter
Harare- More often than not, African stories have been told through the lenses of the Western world often leading to so much distortion and created narratives and it is refreshing to see African Governments taking a deliberate stance to channel resources in the creation and telling of the African stories by Africans themselves.
As he officiated at the ground breaking ceremony for the SADC Liberation Square at the Museum of Africa Liberation Square, President Emmerson Mnangagwa rallied Africans to be responsible for the own stories restating Zimbabwe’s commitment to investing in that area.
“My Government will continue to deploy resources and expertise towards the institutionalisation of African narratives and perspectives on the decolonisation of the continent. We are aware that the history of our continent has been and continues to be deliberately distorted to suit the parochial interests of our former erstwhile colonial masters,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa added that it is critical that the current generation rectify the misnomer of African stories told through European lenses.
“It is the responsibility of our generation to ensure that this important phase in the history of our continent is accurately documented and secured. It is time that we set the record straight. Otherwise, history will judge our generation harshly for having watched, with disinterest, while our history is falsified,” he said.
He hailed the idea behind the Museum as one that immortalises the continent’s rich history and offered each SADC nation to build their monument of liberation history.
“The Museum should, also, be a source of pride and inspiration to future generations to, jealously defend and guard against the encroaching wave of neo-colonialism. Exhibitions that showcase the heroic struggles of the African people and the victories registered against oppression and injustice will form the core of this Museum. The facility will, thus, help to amplify the heroic exploits of the African people, to restore the dignity of the African people and to celebrate our African-ness.”
“My Government has, therefore, resolved to avail a hectare of land to SADC, where each Member State will be able to construct a monument of our struggle against colonialism, he added.
As he concluded his address, President Mnangagwa handed over the one hectare of land for the SADC monuments construction by member states to the to the Chairperson of the Organ Troika and President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Hassan.