Emulate Africa’s founding fathers, youths urged

Sat, 01 Jul 2017 11:56:15 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

YOUTHS should emulate and endeavour to look up to Africa’s founding fathers if they are to make good future leaders, says Youth Aid chairperson Kachenga Chungu.

Mr. Chungu said Africa’s founding fathers such as Kenneth Kaunda, Nelson Mandela, Seretse Khama and Kwame Nkrumah, among others, played a critical role to see the continent reach sound political and economic liberation.

In an interview yesterday, he said their ambition was driven to unify their nations, Africa as a whole and to promote democracy, peace and the African culture of respect for one another.

Mr. Chungu said it was sad that the youths of today especially in Zambia had not built on this firm and sound foundation to uphold the true African culture.

The youth leader said this was evident in how youths dressed and had opted to take to drug abuse and other illicit activities.

“Our founding fathers were driven by passion to unify their nations, Africa as a whole and to promote democracy, peace and the African culture of respect for one another.

‘‘As youths of today we should endeavour to emulate them if we are to make good future leaders,” he said.

The non-governmental organisation implored youths to appreciate the sacrifices of the continent’s forefathers in the fight for freedom of the African continent.

He urged youths to embrace true African values and build on the foundations set by them.

Recently, Dr. Kaunda eulogised his compatriot the late second president of Botswana, Dr Ketumile Quett Masire, as a great freedom fighter and nation-builder who was in the frontline of Africa’s liberation struggle.

Dr. Kaunda said besides working for Botswana’s independence and its stable development, Dr. Masire worked tirelessly for the region, Africa and the world on various programmes and activities.