source: gallerym.com

By Lengaji Sikapizye

There’s an adage which says “The fall of the nation is when few good men do nothing”. This makes Martin Luther King Jr. stand out to be one of the greatest men who stood up tall to do something for his country and the world.

Here in Africa, the legacy Martin Luther King Jr. left is evident by the inspiration founding father’s of most African countries drew from  to liberate the people from colonial rule. It was during the same period that the civil rights leaders were fighting for the cause of African  Americans that most African countries were fighting for independence from colonial masters predominantly from Europe.

Case in point, the first republican president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, and Dr King (pictured together above) made a joint statement against U.S. Investment in South Africa at the United Nations Conference in 1965. During that period some U.S .Companies were investing in a country (South Africa) that was under an apartheid government oppressive of the majority  Black South Africans.

The involvement of Dr King in African Affairs is evidence that his noble cause was not just for the U.S., but for citizens of the world who were going through oppression during that period.

His efforts can be summed up in his I Have a Dream Speech. “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to state the foundations of our nations until the bright day of justice emerges.” That bright day of justice is the election of President Barack Obama as the first Black president of the United States of America. The election of President Barack Obama as the first Black president of the United States was a huge event in Africa with mothers who were giving birth during his election period giving the Obama name to their  newly born babies.

The election of Obama as U.S. president has given hope to many Africans that you can succeed no matter how dire the situation is. Obama is an example of a humble beginning to greatness which is synonymous with success stories of most African individuals who are doing great things around the world.

When Obama finally emerged as winner of the 2012 elections many Africans received the news with happiness. Here in Zambia the news of his election was tapped through international T.V. corporations such as CNN, British Broadcasting Corporation, and other international media channels. Some leading Zambian newspapers such as the Zambia Daily Mail carried the story of his re –election on their front page.

Obama’s 2013 inauguration may not raise a lot of dust as the 2009 ceremony, but many are eager to watch because Obama is a phenomenon that has happened to world politics.

From this end, the local media both print and electronic will definitely be watching, because whenever Obama gets to the big stage he doesn’t go unnoticed.

Obama’s prolific delivery of speeches is one notable quality that lures many to follow him.

Personally, the humble story of Obama is something I can relate to. Here in Africa despite the high levels of poverty and diseases, a number of people rise from difficult backgrounds to do extra ordinary things in life.

Despite the time difference, the country of Zambia will certainly be watching today.

Lengaji Sikapizye is a freelance writer, journalist, and NATC contributor from Zambia.