By Nkosi Zwelivelile , Royal House of Mandela –
It is an honour to serve the continent as a member of PAP.
Monday 7th May 2018: We regard it as a great honour to serve the people of Africa as a member of the Pan African Parliament and contribute towards the development and economic integration of the continent. Africa has enormous potential with more than a billion people and immeasurable resources that must be leveraged to fight the horrid legacy of poverty, under-development and human suffering.
In accordance with Article 17 of the AU Constitutive Act, which makes provision for the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent, we must ensure that we break down all barriers that impede this important goal. We must take on this challenge with all seriousness and ensure that we unlock our continent’s full potential.
Only by working together through the forum of The Pan African Parliament can we realise our ambition to make our continent a truly great place for all its people and be instruments of its renaissance. We owe this to the people of Africa to undo the ravages bequeathed by centuries of colonialism and under-development. The Pan African Parliament as set out in the 2001 Protocol to the Abuja Treaty is dedicated to:
- Facilitate effective implementation of the OAU/African Economic Community’s (AEC’s) policies and objectives and, ultimately, the AU
- Work towards the harmonisation or coordination of Member States’ laws
- Make recommendations aimed at contributing to the attainment of the OAU/AEC’s objectives and draw attention to the challenges facing the integration process in Africa as well as the strategies for dealing with them
- Request OAU/AEC officials to attend its sessions, produce documents or assist in the discharge of its duties
- Promote the OAU/AEC’s programmes and objectives in Member States’ constituencies
- Encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in Member States
- Familiarise the peoples of Africa with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African continent within the framework of the AU’s establishment
- Promote the coordination and harmonisation of policies, measures, programmes and activities of Africa’s parliamentary forums.
As one of the five members nominated by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa we shall do all in our power to ensure that we advance the objectives, programmes and work of PAP and ensure that we vindicate the immense responsibility that we have been entrusted with.
In this regard we must ensure that the people of South Africa and the continent are made aware of the work that is done and the progress that is being made to unite the continent and set it on a new trajectory of growth, development and progress.
It is fortuitous that we take on this responsibility during this session of PAP coinciding with the Nelson Mandela Centennial Celebrations so that we may give expression to the vision, leadership and dream of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela father of our nation, a true hero and revolutionary of the African continent and global icon of justice and peace in the world. He reminded us that “In Africa there is a concept known as ‘ubuntu’ – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others.” We should therefore do all in our power to work together and unite in order to change the destiny of all the people of this continent.
Nkosi Zwelivelile
Royal House of Mandela
Mvezo Komkhulu
P.O. Box 126
Viedgesville, 5102
Eastern Cape Province
South Africa
Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of famed South African President Nelson Mandela. Member of Parliament (MP) South Africa National Assembly. All articles by Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela
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