 Front from left: Dr Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Prof Barney Pityana, Ms Mildred Aristide, Ms Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini & Ms Clara Masinga,
Middle from left: Prof Muxe Nkondo, Dr Michelle Grobbelaar, Prof Mzobz Mboya, Prof Molefi K Asante & Prof Shadrack Gutto
Back from left: Mr Makhudu Sefara, Mr Nano Matlala & Prof Mandla Makhanya
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Haiti is part of Africa, just as much as Australia, New Zealand and similar nations are part of Europe. It is in this context that Unisa, in collaboration with the Centre for Politics and Research and The Sunday Independent, convened a high-level seminar to share the pains of the Haitian people and to inform and critically debate the role expected for Africa in Haiti, most importantly, in its healing, reconstruction and rise.
The seminar, which was held in the Senate Hall on 24 February 2010, was attended by Dr Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife, Mildred Aristide; Ms Zanele Mbeki, South Africa’s former first lady, Prof Barney Pityana, Unisa's Vice-Chancellor and Principal; and Prof Molefi K Asante from Temple University in the USA. The session was facilitated by Mr Makhudu Sefara, Editor: Sunday Independent and Prof Shadrack Gutto, Director of the Centre for African Renaissance Studies at Unisa.
In welcoming the guests, Prof Pityana said that the earthquake that hit Haiti is a natural tragedy. "We need to find something that will never be destroyed about Haiti," he said. He added that once this is found, a new Haiti will emerge.
Setting the scene for his address, Prof Molefi K Asante, in a paper entitled "Haiti shall rise again", he said: "Haiti mourns, and we mourn with it, even as it rebuilds; we recognise the massive challenges that are faced by the people of this country." Asante further said that he now understands that many people know little or nothing about Haiti. "Some do not know where it is geographically and many do not know where it is in African history... But Haiti is still rich in character, strength, dignity, culture, and religion. The people of Haiti have an entire continent, this continent, behind them and it has a splendid history."
Prof Asante said that Mother Nature has not been kind to Haiti. But he expressed the hope that the people of Haiti will rise again. He added that with optimism and great energy, the Haitian people will overcome the present disaster. "With this optimism, the people will return to the splendid future envisioned by Haiti’s first leaders," he said.
Haiti's Former President, Mr Aristide then expressed his gratitude in some African languages, including isiZulu and SeSotho. He said he could not even begin to show his gratitude to Prof Pityana for inviting the Unisa community to lend a hand to Haiti. "I do not want to add on what Prof Asante has said as he equalled my thoughts and that of all Haitians," he said. "I am ready to return to Haiti and if you can equal the voices of the Haitians the return will be faster."
Other speakers include Prof Muxe Nkondo, Ms Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini, Prof Mzobz Mboya, Mr Nano Matlala, Ms Clara Masinga and Dr Michelle Grobbelaar. |
