South Africa joins the world in marking 70 years since the end of World War 2
President Jacob Zuma will today, 9 May 2015, join other Heads of State and Government in Moscow, in the Russian Federation, to celebrate the Great Patriotic War, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany and marked the end of the Second World War in 1945, and the defeat of fascism.
President Zuma arrived in Moscow on Friday, 8 May, ahead of the celebrations of the end of the war.
The President said South Africa contributed to World War 2 and the defeat of fascism and that today the country celebrates the contribution of South African soldiers, including African soldiers, in the war against fascism.
"This is an important occasion as it marks a significant period in the history of the world, the defeat of fascism and Nazism. It is 70 years since the end of the war and 70 years since the formation of the United Nations. Today we recall the promise that had been made to the oppressed African majority during the war by the then South African authorities, that the post-world war order would include self-determination for the oppressed in South Africa. It was not to be. It took a few more decades to achieve our freedom and we are delighted that we triumphed against the evil that was apartheid colonialism in the end," said President Zuma.
South Africa is also celebrating the historic achievement of having produced a landmark bill of rights during the war, which pre-dated the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the form of the African Claims document. The African Claims document, which is regarded as the country's own version of the Atlantic Charter of the victorious nations, was drawn up after due deliberations by a special committee of the African National Congress (ANC). It was adopted by the Annual conference of the ANC in Bloemfontein, on the 16th of December, 1943. The committee was chaired by Mr ZK Matthews.
The then ANC President, Dr AB Xuma explained what they wanted the Prime Minister of South Africa and his delegation that went to the peace conference to negotiate an end to the war to know:
"We want the government and the people of South Africa to know the full aspirations of the African peoples so that their point of view will also be presented at the Peace Conference. We want the Government of the United Nations to know and act in light of our own interpretation of the "Atlantic Charter" to which they are signatories. This is our way of conveying to them our undisputed claim to full citizenship. We desire them to realise once and for all that a just and permanent peace will be possible only if the claims of all classes, colours and races for sharing and for full participation in the educational, political and economic activities are granted and recognised", Dr Xuma said in the preamble to the African Claims.
"We urge that if fascism and fascist tendencies are to be uprooted from the face of the earth, and to open the way for peace, prosperity and racial good-will, the 'Atlantic Charter' must apply to the whole British Empire, the United States of America and to all the nations of the world and their subject peoples. And we urge that South Africa as a prelude to her participation at the Peace Conference in the final destruction of Nazism and Fascism in Europe, must grant the just claims of her non-European peoples to freedom, democracy and human decency? The Soldiers of all races Europeans, Americans, Asiatics and Africans have won their claim and the claims of their peoples to the four freedoms by having taken part in this war which can be converted into a war for human freedom if the settlement at the Peace Table is based on human justice, fair play and equality for opportunity for all races, colours and classes".
In response to the sixth point of the Atlantic Charter which expressed hope for peace which would afford all nations the means of dwelling and safety within their boundaries, they demanded; "Africans are in full agreement with the war aim of destroying Nazi tyranny, but they desire to see all forms of racial domination in all lands, including the Allied countries, completely destroyed. Only in this way, they firmly believe, shall there be established peace which will afford to all peoples and races the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and which will afford the assurance that all men in all lands shall live out their lives in freedom from fear, want and oppression."
President Zuma said that South Africa today also salutes the men and women who drew up the African Claims document. They laid the foundation for the Freedom Charter and also the country's progressive Constitution.
"With the celebration of 70 years since the end of the war and 70 years since the formation of the UN, the spotlight falls on the shape of the world order currently, especially the exclusion of Africa from the permanent membership of the UN Security Council. The time has come therefore, for the world to seriously reflect on this exclusion of Africa yet again, 70 years on, and seriously discuss the question of the meaningful reform of the UN Security Council, as we commemorate the contribution of Africa to the war against fascism," pointed out the President.
He added that South Africa would continue working for a better Africa and a better world in memory of all our people who contributed to the war against fascism and those who fought relentlessly in the struggle against apartheid colonialism in our country.
Enquiries:
Harold Maloka
Cell: 082 847 9799
E-mail: harold@presidency.gov.za or maloka.harold@gmail.com
