Sunday, Dec 05, 2004
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | International
DURBAN, DEC. 4. The former Botswana President, Sir Ketumile Masire, has been honoured with the Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Award for trying to promote peace and reconciliation in the African continent. The award was presented to him by the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, which is headed by Ela Gandhi, the only surviving granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, at the Kendra Hall here last night. In his acceptance speech, Sir Masire said the ``great Mahatma Gandhi believed in a world of peace and harmony'' and the people of Africa, where he once lived, were looking forward to a non-violent and peaceful society. ``If there is no peace, there is no freedom.'' He said unfortunately for many people in Africa, the road to peace and harmony remains a long and tortuous one. ``It continues to be a mirage. There is no guarantee it will be realised in our lifetime. Violence and terrorism for political purposes still haunt us. Tyrants, dictators, guerrillas, revolutionaries as well as commanders of regular troops carry out acts of terrorism against their opponents and suppress minorities. The litany of injustices against humanity is unending.'' Sir Masire, however, said the current array of African leaders have committed themselves to bequeath a legacy of peace to their children.
`A new beginning'
``Our leaders now have a shared vision — a vision for a better future for Africa. In this regard the New African Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) represents a new beginning, a shared conviction to eradicate poverty and place their countries both individually and collectively on a path to sustainable growth and development,'' he said. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi about the power of non-violence, he said ``non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by man.'' Sir Masire is the second African leader to be bestowed with the Gandhi Peace Award since it was introduced last year. President Thabo Mbeki received it last year. Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Arun Gandhi, who runs the Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Institute in the United States, addressed the ceremony.
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