South Africa's ANC Hails Museveni for Hosting Anti-apartheid Fighters

Leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) party hailed President Yoweri Museveni for having hosted the anti-apartheid freedom fighters, the UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) when the neighbouring states were afraid of settling them.

The diplomats led by the ANC’s Treasurer General, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa praised President Museveni while at the Oliver Thambo Leadership School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke district where the MK fighters trained, planned and launched attacks against the white racist regime in South Africa in 1989 to 1993 when it was defeated.

“We visited this site to cement the historical ties of both ANC and NRM and also pay tribute to the leader of Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni who we consider the father of our democracy. He was able to welcome MK fighters and gave them refuge when they had nowhere to go at a time when the frontline states were afraid of the apartheid regime,” Dr Ramokgopa said on Sunday.

She added: “We really salute the leadership of President Museveni and also thank the people of Uganda and commit that together with the NRM, we will build on the progress we have made with our democracy until all our African children live in prosperity and better circumstances.”

Dr Ramokgopa said the Oliver Thambo School is a great pillar in grooming young nationalists, “Young people are inspired by the sacrifices that our forefathers made. The Centre of Excellence explains why we are here, how we got here, where we are going as well as acting decisively to make an impact in the lives of our ordinary citizens.” 

The NRM National Treasurer and Uganda’s Former High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oudo while addressing the media said that the ANC and NRM do enjoy fraternal relations and strong historical ties that were bred out of sweat and blood.

“We are so pleased with the good relationship that Uganda has with the Republic of South Africa. We do realise that what President Museveni did to give sanctuary to the ANC fighting wing was aimed at building bridges for our African brothers and sisters for future collaborations for the betterment of our people,” Amb. Nekesa said. 

The High Commissioner of South Africa to Uganda, Lulama Xingwana said that Uganda’s contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggles and pacifying the African continent is inspirational.

“We are greatly inspired and it makes us feel at home away from home. You showed resilience and braveness amidst threats,” the High Commissioner said.

In another meeting, the NRM Secretary-General, Richard Todwong challenged revolutionary political parties in Africa to remain focused and steadfast in tackling issues affecting their people, stating that many liberation movements tend to lower their guard after seizing power.

Todwong hosted the ANC delegation at the NRM headquarters in Nakesero, Kampala on Monday.

"The NRM party is ready to cooperate with the ANC and other parties across the African continent with the mission of causing positive change. We should not remain in poverty when we are richly endowed with resources," Todwong suggested.

Todwong added: "We are experiencing economic stress, joblessness, and a high cost of living due to the population explosion and the mushrooming of urban centres, leading to some resistance during elections. We need to be dynamic and willing to match the speed of the current demands."

Dr Ramokgopa reiterated Todwong's comments, saying that the two ruling parties must urgently devise robust social protection programs to empower their population to lift themselves out of poverty without relying on donations from the West.

"We have great leaders like President Yoweri Museveni, the father of our liberation, who we can leverage to transform our people to greater heights. Uganda assisted to overcome the white racists, and now we turn our focus to economic diplomacy. Some of our companies here are training and offering jobs to Ugandans, and goods from here are being exported to our country too," ANC's Ramokgopa revealed.

She commended the NRM leaders for living up to their ideological principle of pan-Africanism as "they supported us during the anti-apartheid regime." "Pan-Africanism is a good core principle that we shall need to incorporate into our education system because some of our children seem not to appreciate the reasons why our leaders fought. They are being diverted," she added.

Dr. Gwen, who visited the Oliver Tambo Leadership School in Nakasongola, formerly a training camp for the ANC Anti-apartheid freedom fighter, the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) on Sunday, said her government in South Africa will renovate the institution's attached hospital.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the NRM, Rose Nsereko, asked both Uganda and South Africa to expedite policies aimed at the free movement of people and goods without restrictions, stating, "This will promote investment within the two states."