Rev. Daughtry's weekly article that appears in the NY Daily Challenge every Wednesday and Friday.

Mother Africa Is Calling - Journey to South Africa - Part VI

Thursday, February 22, 2007, it was another beautiful morning. The delegates were slow getting up. Some of us did not get to bed until 3:00 a.m. The homelike hotel or bed and breakfast hotel is a sprawling place, with about five dining areas. I do not know how many bedrooms. The way the rooms are situated each seems to be hid away and personalized. Our room, Bush Ferns, was spacious with a thatch roof. It was comfortable and quaint with old furniture and a high ceiling made with straw and other elements.

There were trees, flowers, shrubbery everywhere and a swimming pool. We were told that this is the place where Nelson Mandela stays when he is in town. It is called the
Ferns Country House. We had egg omelet for breakfast and Earl Grey Tea. We sat outside near the pool. Soon the hornets drove us inside. They were bold and hungry. They swarmed into all the jelly and jam dishes.
This day was devoted to seminars. The venue was ten miles away. When we arrived, young people were ubiquitous. JAH had set up, in the front yard, a circular vending operation. There was a car decorated with JAH promotional material. It immediately caught our attention.

Walking through a large dining area, where lunch was being prepared, we entered the auditorium where the seminars would be held. The auditorium seated about several hundred people. Recording equipment had been set up. There were two themes, the first one – “The Effects and Impact of Slavery and Colonialism on the African Psyche,” the second - “The Origins and Impact of African Arts and Culture in Human History.” After welcoming by Ndabeni who spoke glowingly about the vision he had for JAH, “It has the potential to unite the African on the continent with African in the Diaspora,” he said.

The first presenter was Ambassador Mbulelo Rakwena, Depart of Foreign Affairs. His subject was “The Logic Behind Africa’s International Engagement with the Continent and its Diaspora.” The Ambassador was humorous, softly eloquent, and comprehensively knowledgeable. Also, he was challenging. He said, “You can see Africa origin everywhere in the world.” I was especially impressed by his knowledge on various movements in the world. He mentioned the anti-Apartheid and Reparation Movements in the USA.

He alluded to several names connected to these movements. During the questions and answers (Q&A) I felt compelled to enlighten him regarding the persons he had named in connection with the fore-stated movements. I pointed out that as it related to the anti-Apartheid Movement the persons he had mentioned had capitalized on the motion that had been created by others - now forgotten.

And with respect to The Reparation Movement, the said persons did not have any meaningful role or made any contribution to that movement. I related names of persons who were the leaders. Among them were Viola Plummer and the D 12 people, Elombe Brath, the National Black United Front, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), to name a few. I emphasized that my intention was not to be critical but, to be accurate as is relates to history.

“Too often” I said, “it has happened that grassroots leadership bears the burden and the sacrifice of launching and sustaining a movement. Then when victory or success or popularity is in sight, others join the bandwagon, and because of their bourgeois status and connections they become the recipients of accolades. Even world leaders praise their names.”

I feel and have always felt that it is important that history be truthful. The second point I made was to underscore the importance of JAH. It bridges the class divide. I highlighted the diversity of the U. S. delegation. I singled out Jitu’s credibility, his long years of organizing across color and class lines. My remarks were well received.

When the Ambassador returned for Q&A and statements from the audience, he reacted to my comments. He agreed with me. He shared my concerns. He reminded us that the ANC was a mass movement. Afterwards we continued the discussion as we went to lunch. He was a likable man, a true diplomat.

I should point out here; earlier Jitu had raised the issue of support of political prisons in the USA. He had mentioned that other nationalities were able to win the release of their political prisoners with the help of foreign governments. “Could the South African government do the same?” he asked. The Ambassador made it clear that as a representative of a government there are rules that govern interactions between nations; therefore, he could not have that discussion in public. There may be other channels and other persons with whom that issue of political prisoners could be discussed.

To be continued
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On Thursday, March 29 be prepared to attend the Rally when I will make my report.
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Save the date
Dar-fur Benefit
May 5, 2007 – 7-10 p.m.
At Medgar Evers College
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Organizing Meeting on Darfur
each Thursday, noon to two p.m.
at The House of the Lord Church 415 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
3-20-07