Master Teachers of Pan-Africanism in the 21st Century

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The majority of literature and historical records about Pan-Africanism as an ideology or philosophy cite it to have begun in the mid or late 19th century. From my point of view, perhaps this was when interested parties began to write about Pan-Africanism. 

 

Pan-African Flag
Widely used Pan-African Flag since its founding | Credits: The Hilltop

Without a doubt, the practice of Pan-Africanism ideals predates the development of its literature. Africa’s long history has accounts of our people practicing the ideals of Pan-Africanism. For a quick reminder, Pan-Africanism is an ideology that people of African descent from whichever corner of the world belong to common ancestry, thus we must unite. 

 

Ideally, Pan-Africanism is Africa’s way of life. Our cultures, traditions, and so much more that define us as Africans exhibit great similarities across our people scattered all over the world. For instance, the practice of Pan-Africanism is well documented in Africa’s history as; when Harriet Tubman rallied against enslavement and delivered hundreds to freedom. When Fredrick Douglas organized, led, and liberated hundreds of fellow enslaved Africans. When Queen Nzinga of Angola led her people through and successful resistance against invading Portuguese in the 17th century, etc. 

 

These are actions that define the philosophy of Pan-Africanism in simple terms. These are the deeds that dictate this philosophy; the call for unity and organization among African people from whatever point of the earth they may be. 

 

Even though these early proponents and practitioners of Pan-Africanism have since departed from us, their idea is well cemented into our history and daily quest for liberation. In the 20th century, Africans from all over were gifted and perhaps lucky to have shared a world with many charismatic leaders who preached and practiced Pan-Africanism. They experienced Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, W.E.B Du Bois, Louise Little, and later on Malcolm Little X, Martin Luther King, etc. 

 

First Pan-African Conference
African leaders at the First Pan African Conference | Credits: Black History Month 2023

The previous century also produced master teachers of Pan-Africanism such as Dr. Ben, Dr. John H, Clarke, Chancellor Williams, Cheikh Anta Diop, Dr. Cress Welsing, and too many to mention skilled speakers and writers of Pan-Africanism. 

 

Additionally, in the 20th century, African people were glad to have witnessed unwavering leadership that seemed to follow in line with Pan-Africanism ideals in the newly found freedom in the mother continent. Leadership such as that of the late Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Patrice Lumumba of the DRC, Muammar Al Gadhaffi of Libya, and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe did implement elements of this philosophy. 

 

These are just but a few incidences where African leaders and patriots acted or attempted to act per the spirit of Pan-Africanism. The reactions from former colonial powers and economic predators to these leaders speak for themselves regarding the power of Pan-Africanism and why it is such a coveted ideology.



The Sole Rational for Pan-Africanism in the 21st Century

It is not a mere statement of theory that you can kill a man but never an idea. Just like any other ideology or philosophy, Pan-Africanism has grown and developed over the centuries. Thanks to our forefathers, this philosophy has been preserved and passed down from generation to generation. 

 

In the 21st century, Pan-Africanism I still very active and vibrant. I believe that the solution for Africa’s problem lies in the philosophy of Pan-Africanism i.e., unity and organization among our people. As long as the African people are still directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly the subjects or servants of alien races, cultures, or religions, Pan-Africanism will find its meaning and reason to be part of our daily life. 

 

Today, Africa is battling with seemingly one the greatest misdoings against a race of people in human history i.e. battle against new millennium slavery. The enslavement of the African minds is the last standing and the strongest pillar of the foundation for colonization that the Europeans and Arabs exploit to dominate our resources.

 

The new millennium slavery neglects physical chains and whips but focuses on mind programming and reprogramming of African minds to despise and hate one another, to betray and disdain their cultures and traditions, and more than worse to neglect their gods for the European and Arab deities. Marcus Garvey taught us that; “whereas other men might free the body, none but ourselves can free our minds.”

 

In the 21st century, there are some God-sent African people (let us call them master teachers) who have dedicated their lives to the redemption of African people. Most importantly, they have shifted their focus to mental liberation as a starting point. In my opinion, these are master teachers of Pan-Africanism. These are the people who are defying all odds against the mainstream to point out facts about Africa’s situation as they are without fear and censorship.

 

In this article, we are going to identify three master teachers of Pan-Africanism in this age, their contribution to the liberation of African people, and their role in keeping the Pan-Africanism fire burning.

 

Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba

As the century advances, PLO is undisputedly one of the most enlightened master teachers of Africa-centered ideas and philosophies. Popular for his speaking skills and mastery of the use of language, PLO has transformed the teaching of Pan-Africanism with mind-transforming speeches and writings. 

 

Prof. PLO Lumumba
Credits: The Mount Kenya Times

Like Kwame Nkrumah, his teaching and insights point us back to Africa’s unity and organization. These teachings are invaluable as every Pan-Africanist realizes that unity and organization are the final solution to the question of African redemption.

 


In matters concerning African unity, PLO's position is clear. He teaches us that until African people from all walks of life come together and work in unity then we can sit at the civilization dinner table as guests and not at the menu. From his teaching, African nation-states must come together, and create one military, and one economic framework with unity in leadership to match or countereffect treachery from colonial predators. The future of Pan-Africanism is safe because in the new age of information, PLO’s speeches are sure to reach every interested party and they will ignite a mental revolution.

 

Dr. Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah-Johnson

Popularly known as Dr. Umar Johnson, is an enlightened American psychologist and activist who has authored several books and featured in documentaries promoting the well-being of people of African descent. He is an ardent master teacher of African-centered ideals which has seen him take the position of a controversial figure. 

 

Dr. Umar Johnson
Credits: Dwayne Wong (Omowale)

As a master teacher of Pan-Africanism, Dr. Johnson points out the setbacks that Eurocentric ideals such as interracial relationships and homosexuality pose to the existence and successful continuity of African cultures and traditions. 

 

In the 21st century, which the majority believe to be the new age of information, Dr. Johnson takes advantage of social media to reach a vast population with his Pan-Africanism insights and teachings. Via different social media platforms, the master teacher expresses the real meaning of the philosophy of Pan-Africanism. 

 

Dr. Johnson’s “Pan-Afrikanist” message as he renders it encourages and sheds light on reasons why African Americans must identify with African people and traditions globally as opposed to their religions or nationalities.

 


Dr. Jonson is an important figure in the teaching of Pan-Africanism. He is well-read, well-informed, and fully awakened. On many occasions, he troubles the mainstream by challenging the existing status quo surrounding racial inequality against African Americans. In addition, Dr. Johnson's approach to teaching Pan-Africanism showcases great courage and his unwavering sacrifice since he does not shy off from taking the bull by its horns. 

 

The self-proclaimed prince of Pan-Africanism can be likened to Malcolm X who did not sugarcoat his teachings to impress the oppressive American government in the 1960s. Consequently, Dr. Jonson’s dedication and commitment to liberating African minds to some degree confirms that he shares a bloodline with 19th century abolitionist; Fredrick Douglas. Ideally, the philosophy of Pan-Africanism sometimes runs down through a bloodline.

 

Philosopher Joshua Marara Maponga III

In as much as it is extremely difficult to choose who the best of the best is among master teachers of Pan-Africanism, Maponga Joshua is undisputedly one of my favorites. In the current age characterized by new millennium slavery; in which the colonial forces have replaced the Jim Crow and the chains with mental and religious indoctrination, many Africans who wish to see beyond the mists must enroll in Maponga’s school of thought. 

 

Philosopher Joshua Maponga III
Credits: Watchdog Uganda

The importance of Maponga in the field of Pan-Africanism is that he focuses on decolonizing the African minds and their deeply held colonial concepts of god. Being an expert in the field of theology, he has courageously come out to decolonize and reconstruct the religion of Christianity and the concept of deity which many Africans fail to grasp. 

 

As the famous saying goes, ‘You cannot identify fake currency if you cannot recognize real one,’ Maponga’s teachings and insights offer invaluable first-hand experience and ways in which Eurocentric Christianity prevents Africans from fully liberating themselves after over four centuries of non-stop colonization by Europeans. 

 

Most importantly, his teachings connect the concept of deity and Africa’s liberation. Learning from him, it is clear that the lion and the antelope cannot pray to the same god, for their needs are different; one prays for food, the other for survival. 

 

Additionally, he teaches us that to understand our history, African people must embark on the study of self. Ideally, such self-study must consist of the deity we identify with and how they relate to our genealogy. 

 


In a nutshell, Maponga’s school of thought is one of the most desirable for they are direct to the point and intentional in stumbling down the foundational blocks of new millennium slavery. Even though the mainstream media might show resentment toward this master teacher, African people interested in liberation must take his teaching seriously and hold them in high regard. 

 

The new age of information

The bottom line is this. Since time immemorial, the philosophy of Pan-Africanism has not changed in meaning or practice. Even though different master teachers and practitioners of this philosophy have emerged, the message remains the same despite differences in languages and style of delivery. 

 

In the 21st century where information is everywhere, leading an ignorant life about African ideals is a personal choice. African people from all over the world must listen to and learn from their master teachers to access information that the mainstream media might wish to intentionally bury deep under. 

 

Fortunately, the 21st-century master teachers of Pan-Africanism have got their messages and teachings available all over. In taking advantage of the new age of information, they are utilizing social media to teach and pinpoint areas that affect our destinies as a people. 

 

Nevertheless, we must be aware that by allowing the colonial powers to marginalize our intelligentsia they prevent us from really liberating our minds and countries. Therefore, it is our responsibility to do personal research and strive to gain access to the teachings of our master teachers. Only then shall we stand a chance in leading the life that our former Pan-African teachers and practitioners fought, bled, and died for. 

 

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