George Ngwane

Between a State-centric and a Citizen-led PanAfricanism: A Conflict of Ownership

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

25th May 2008 would have marked 45 years of state-centric PanAfricanism within the continent.

The historiography of PanAfricanism has been one of dialectically opposing ideologies and procedural battles on the methodology and ownership of its dividends.

The Diasporan divergence on PanAfricanism from 1900-1945  epitomized by W.E.B Dubois’ integrative approach of African citizenship  contrasted to Marcus Garvey’s exclusionist “Back to Africa “ declaration.

2007: A Year Of Heroism And Martyrdom In Africa

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

Heroism is the ability to triumph over adversity. Its kernel is fuelled by defiance and fired by a steel will.

Either as an individual or a corporate body, heroism urges the subject to go against the grain of conservative establishment. Motivated by independent assertiveness, the subject breaks free from monolithism and complacency to embrace the collective vision of his or her society. Ali Mazrui says heroes are symbols of achievements; they are ultimate victors.

Either as an individual or a corporate body, heroism urges the subject to go against the grain of conservative establishment. Motivated by independent assertiveness, the subject breaks free from monolithism and complacency to embrace the collective vision of his or her society. Ali Mazrui says heroes are symbols of achievements; they are ultimate victors.

The African Woman

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

Today, October 15, 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of the pan African icon and the maverick leader of Burkina Faso, Captain Thomas Isidore Noel Sankara.

In one of his fiery oratories addressed to the Burkinabe women during the International Day of the Woman on March 8, 1987,Captain Sankara said "the genuine emancipation of women is that which entrusts responsibilities to them and involves them in productive activity and in the different struggles the people face".

As the world pays lip service today, October 15, to the rural woman by commemorating what has been pompously called the International Day of the Rural Woman, it behoves Africa to speak to the interwoven tapestry that binds the African woman to her bondaged society.

The United States of Africa is A Matter of Urgency - Mwalimu George Ngwane

Originally published in Panafrican Visions magazine

The idea of a United States of Africa has been floating around for over fifty years today. When the great visionary Kwame Nkrumah militated so strongly for it, some of his peers rated him over ambitious with an unbridled appetite to exert control on the entire continent. That the idea is still a subject of strong debate today is a sign that Nkrumah was just a man out of the ordinary with a vision far above the comprehension of many in his generation and even subsequent ones. The last African Union Summit in Accra Ghana ignited the debate in full force although?? to many the out come fell short of expectations.

Analyst Suspects Kadhafi Phobia in AU Summit Outcome

By James Butty (VOA)
 
Listen to Butty interview with Ngwane (MP3) 

The Ninth Ordinary Summit of the African Union is in the history books following its conclusion in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.  But some Africans are still feeling betrayed over the leaders’ failure to form a United States of Africa. 
 
In their final communiqué African leaders agreed to speed up the economic and political integration of the continent to pursue the goal of a United States of Africa.

The Cost of Non-integration In Africa

The Post Newspaper (Friday June 29, 2007)

Between June 18 and 20, 2007, some 36 researchers, activists and civil society actors from across Africa attended a conference on the theme "The Cost of Non-integration In Africa" in Marrakech, Morocco. Amongst the participants was writer, Pan-Africanist and Executive Director of AFRICAphonie, Mwalimu George Ngwane. On his return, The Post's Nana Walter Wilson accosted him. Ngwane, as usual, had a heap to say. First, he said African integration had hitherto been a state-driven project until recently.

An Open letter to President Paul Biya

By Mwalimu George Ngwane (Originally published in Eden Newspaper, Wednesday, June 27, 2007)

Subject: Personal participation at the African Union summit in Accra,Ghana

Your Excellency,
From 1-3 July 2007, Ghana shall become the capital of Africa.  As host of the 9th Ordinary session of the historic African Union summit, Ghana is expected to beat past records in terms of attendance by Heads of state in the history of the pan African organization summits.  The stake is the Grand debate on the Union Government that should lead to the creation of the United States of Africa.  Every country is therefore looking forward to the participation of their Head of state. So is Cameroon.

Pre-Referendum Coupon on the United States of Africa

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, at its 8th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa from 29-30 January 2007 decided that the next ordinary session of the Assembly to be held in Accra, Ghana in July 2007, will be devoted to a “Grand Debate on the Union Government”.

This decision is inspired by the fact that Africa now needs a Union of the African people and not merely a Union of states and governments and that ‘the ultimate goal of the African Union is the political and economic integration of the continent leading to the creation of the United States of Africa’.

Having this in mind, the Assembly of Heads of States, in compliance with the policy of popular participation through civil society endeavours requested Member States of the African Union to carry out the necessary national consultations within their countries on the Grand Debate on the Union Government.

Living the Kwame Nkrumah Dream

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

“As far as I am concerned, I am in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa.  Long after I am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft, giving light and guidance to all people” - Kwame Nkrumah

Tomorrow March 6th 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Ghanaian nation.  Activities have been put in place to give Ghana’s golden Independence jubilee the global significance it deserves.  But who can mention Ghana’s Independence without remembering its founder Francis Kwame Nkrumah (the Osagyefo)? After all do we not remember that prophetic and pan African slogan of his which said “Ghana’s Independence would be meaningless until all of Africa is united”?

The Military And African Politics

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

The reasons for military interventions (militocracy) in Africa are as varied as they are complex. They range from personal grievances of civilian regimes to the political and economic kleptocracy of civilian regimes.

In a struggle to cope with this predicament between the devil of tyranny (as in one-party system) and the deep blue sea of anarchy (as in multiparty systems) military rule has often been invoked. The balance sheet has largely been negative, with very few being benign, that is serving the interests of the people whether in a short or long political life span.