The Final Call

New Black Panthers report on historic South Africa pilgrimage

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Malik Zulu Shabazz and delegation members with South African youth.

“Africa and Pan-Africanism” was the title of the activist’s keynote address in early April at the House of the Lord Church, with pastor Herbert Daughtry present.

“This was a welcoming home,” said Atty. Shabazz of his trip. “This was to let the Black man and woman here in America know the conditions of their people in Azania (South Africa) … It was also to make our intentions known that we support the presidency of Robert Mugabe, and that we will do everything possible to help him win.”

President Mugabe, a veteran of guerilla struggle, fought against the White-led government of what was then called Rhodesia. In 1980, he became prime minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe. In 1987, he was elected president of Zimbabwe. Due to a power sharing deal struck with former political rival Morgan Tsvangirai in September 2008, a referendum on the constitution must be held before presidential elections can take place. Mr. Tsvangirai serves as prime minister and coordinator of government affairs for Zimbabwe.

“I always knew I would go to Africa but not as a tourist; it would have (to be) a political tour just about the liberation of our people,” said Atty. Shabazz. He added that a webcast would share his aims and a full report on his Pan-Africanist efforts.

Atty. Shabazz also talked about socioeconomic conditions facing Africans and their relationship to dire conditions facing Blacks in America and the Diaspora. He touched on the NYPD killing of teenager Kimani Gray, religious divisions, “Stop and Frisk” policies targeting Blacks and Latinos, the plight of former South African President Nelson Mandela, the activities of the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (South Africa), and preparations for a future West African tour. Atty. Shabazz also said he met with Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leaders and formed an alliance as part of a Pan-African/Black united front. 

Meeting with veterans and warriors of Zimbabwe’s armed struggle left Atty. Shabazz with a feeling of responsibility and that the mantle of activism and resistance was being passed to the New Black Panther Party. “It is a weight we are happy to bear,” he said.

Speaking for nearly two and a half hours, Atty. Shabazz offered details from the nine-day tour with photos, a PowerPoint presentation, and personal testimonies from those who traveled with him. “I’ve gone to Africa and I’m back I feel stronger, bolder, more mature,” said Atty. Shabazz. “I’m not jiving you I feel transformed!”

Pan-Africanism is necessary and the ideology needs to be impressed on the minds and hearts of Black people verywhere, attorney Shabazz said “I saw people who look just like us here, there in Africa and I’m here to tell you that you’re an African. You’re nothing but an African with no hyphen,” he said. There are problems in Africa just like in America, he added. Some, Atty. Shabazz continued, offered criticism and called him crazy for taking the trip. “That is part of the reason why we went and carried it out because we want to show the Black man and woman of America that what you develop in your mind … if it’s righteous and in accordance with what God wants, he will take you through what he got to take you through, but he will make it into a manifest reality.”

Atty. Shabazz lauded the ideologies  and plans of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who advocated separating from America. “We deserve reparations, don’t get it wrong. But for those who are serious about separation and reparation, I went to a land that had diamonds and gold in the ground, and was fertile and minerally rich,” he said. “I went to a land that was expansive (with) beaches and water from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Don’t believe the lie that the African is just savage. I went to places that said they have land for the Black man and woman in America that want to stand up for the liberation of Africa.”

The enemy wants Blacks in America to think Africa is uncivilized to discourage travel, investment and possible international trade, said Atty. Shabazz. “They want to keep you and I blind to the love of Africa, the value of Africa, and to the fact that we need to engage in Africa, trade with Africa and live in Africa, so I’m going to buy me a home in Africa and get my law license,” he declared.

Atty. Shabazz plans to visit several places across the U.S. to report on his trip and continue plans to build a Pan-Africanist front and establish unity in Black community. He credited his success to men he considers his mentors, Minister Khallid Abdul Muhammad, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Dr. Leonard Jeffries.

(This story was reported by Chawn Saddam Kweli. For more information regarding the New Black Panther Party and their activities visit http://www.NewBlackPanther.com.)