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The 8th Pan African Congress, Part 1 - Zimbabwe
The 8tH PAC, Part 1
For over a century Africa’s Children in the diaspora have been yearning to come back home. They are a diverse group of people, and yet the irony is that they are all the same, bound by the desire to play their part in the continent’s development. Over 100 years ago, meetings under the banner of the Pan African Congress began, and their aim was to bring Africa’s Children together.
Since then a total of 8 Pan African Congresses have been held and although ground has been covered, they did not lead to the desired outcome of paving the way for the diaspora to come back home. However, since then things have begun to changed, in 2003, a significant step was taken when African leaders declared the African Diaspora the 6th Region, crucial to Africa’s development.
More specific, actionable conversations are now needed to bring closure to the return of the children of Africa in the diaspora and the 9th Pan African Congress to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from the 14th to the 19th of October 2022 is the perfect platform which will, among many other things.
- Promote Pan Africanism through business, trade and cultural exchange forums.
- Foster increased relations between Africa & its diaspora.
- Recognise & include the Sixth (6th) Region regarding matters of economic Development.
Thank you,
Mr President
We would like to thank President Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe for hosting this congress. Zimbabwe has always been at the center of trade and cultural exchange not only in Africa but globally. In the 15th Century Great Zimbabwe was part of a large global trading network. Archaeologists have found pottery from China and Persia, as well as Arab coins in the ruins there. The Zimbabwe Empire controlled trade up and down the east African coast.
Today under President Mnangagwa’s leadership Zimbabwe ranks as Fifth in Intra-African trade on the continent and its government is at the fore front in advancing Pan-Africanism. We are therefore grateful to His Excellency for hosting this Congress at the Victoria Falls, a World Heritage site which is a fitting location because it reminds us of the resources Africa is endowed with and the unlimited potential available for Africans in the diaspora and at home.
“If you turn the other cheek, you can be enslaved for 1,000 years.”
“Unity will not make us rich, but it can make it difficult for Africa and the African people to be disregarded and humiliated, and it will, therefore, increase the effectiveness of the decisions we make and try to implement for our development. My generation led Africa to political freedom. The current generation of leaders and people of Africa must pick up the flickering torch of Africa freedom, refuel it with their enthusiasm and determination, and carry it forward.”