Africa: Legacy of the Great Leaders
RT Presents a Project Featuring Descendants of Mandela, Lumumba, and Nasser RT presents a project about the leaders of Africa's anti-colonial struggle
On Africa Liberation Day, May 25, 2025, RT is releasing a special video project titled African Legacy (Africa: Legacy of the Great Leaders) dedicated to the continent's leaders whose fight against colonialism and efforts to unite African peoples changed the course of history.
The children and grandchildren of legendary figures, including Patrice Lumumba, Nelson Mandela, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Samora Machel, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Oliver Tambo, and Steve Biko, share stories about their ancestors and their contributions to Africa's liberation and development.
They also speak about the importance of preserving historical memory as modern Africa once again faces various challenges, and how the new generation must continue the work of their great forebears in order to move forward, toward prosperity and unity.
'Today history repeats itself. The same powers that once dictated to Africa whom it should call friend and whom it should call enemy are trying to do so once again. They paint Russia as a villain, just as they once did with the Soviet Union. But we must remember the lessons of the past. Those who truly supported Africa's liberation are not the ones who plundered our lands, who assassinated our leaders, or who imposed crippling debts upon us,' says Roland Lumumba, son of Congolese national liberation movement leader and the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba.
Participants of the project note that Russia has always supported their peoples' struggle for freedom and justice, and that the USSR played a pivotal role in helping African nations break free from colonial dependence. Today, partnership with Russia opens new opportunities for the continent's countries based on shared values, respect for sovereignty, and a vision of a multipolar world.
'With Russia, we see opportunities for trade, technology exchange and development that will help Africa grow independently and sustainably. By working with Russia, we can secure support that respects Africa's right to shape its own destiny and economic future,' states Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of the legendary anti-apartheid fighter, former South African president, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela.
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