Through his own anguish, Madiba became more alive to the plight and suffering of others. Timeless, treasured and an enduring hero of our modern time, the pride of Africa. To us, what a beautiful historical connection, through one of Oromo’s brave sons – Gen. Tadesse Birru. I have the feeling that Madiba himself is one of ours. In his tribute to Madiba, Awol Kassim Allo observes ”... Tadesse gave Mandela more than just a pistol – a military training that has become the basis for the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation). While this history is largely erased from mainstream discourse about South Africa’s struggle, as is indeed Mandela’s revolutionary legacy, Liliesleaf is one such place where the contribution of an Oromo freedom fighter is being celebrated. While South Africa has become the state of its own people, Ethiopia has grown so oppressive as to deploy certain aspects of the very strategies and tactics used by Apartheid South Africa to eliminate the likes of Nelson Mandela."
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:24:36 +0000
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