D. K. Duncan, Contributor"HISTORY OCCASIONALLY produces Movements and men which together provide the impulse and the inspiration for great processes of change. Such movements and such men are at once catalyst and rock: catalyst because it is hard to imagine how the change could have taken place without them; rock because they seem to provide a foundation on which new structures can be built". (Michael Manley, 1979).
Little did former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley know that one of the finest movements in history - the African National Congress (ANC) - would one day honour him and by extension Jamaica. The recently created highest civilian award by South Africa was presented to 13 outstanding leaders, including Manley - for "their role in liberating Africa and for being an inspiration to South Africa in its transition to democracy".
Speaking at the Sixth Summit of the Non-Aligned Nations in September 1979, Michael Manley would have had in mind the man Oliver Tambo as both "catalyst and rock". In naming the award - the Order of Companions of O.R. Tambo the South African Government has demonstrated their recognition of this revolutionary as one of the pre-eminent catalysts in their movement for national liberation.
OUTSTANDING LEADERS
Manley shared the highest category of this award - the gold - with some of the most influential leaders from Africa, Europe and the Western Hemisphere. From Africa he finds company with Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of independent Congo (Zaire) who was assassinated in 1961 at age 36. Other African awardees also include Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere from Tanzania, Mozambique's liberation leader Eduardo Mondlane (assassinated). Former OAU Secretary General Salim Ahmed Salim as well as the present UN Secretary General Kofi Anan - are also recipients.
From Europe there is former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaani. US Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King and Chilean President Salvador Allende who were both assassinated - complete the recipients along with Michael Manley. Oliver Tambo is credited as the foremost catalyst in the campaign to internationalise the anti-apartheid movement. Jamaica from very early played a constructive supporting role.
However, Michael Manley's internationalist outlook propelled Jamaica on to the world stage as a major player in the liberation struggles in Southern Africa after assuming office in 1972. In 1973 at the non-aligned movement summit in Algeria Jamaica's focus was on the need for a New Economic Order as well as the liberation of Southern Africa. By 1978 Manley was awarded the UN Gold Medal for his "significant contribution in the international campaign against apartheid".
HEAVY PRICE
Three years earlier, in 1975, Angola became independent with Agostinho Neto as its first President. Despite increasing international support, the ANC in South Africa was under pressure with Oliver Tambo doing its re-organising in exile. Repression was on the increase. A Patriotic Front against White Rule was formed in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). South African racist military forces had entered Namibia on their way to support forces (UNITA) led by Jonas Savimbi. They were 500 miles deep into Angola when Cuban troops which had been requested by Agostinho Neto repelled them. Manley and Jamaica supported the Cuban action. For this the country was to pay a heavy price.
At the 1979 Non-Aligned Conference held in Havana Manley said "we who are here know that the balance of power and opportunity was altered positively and irrevocably in Africa during those fateful days when Cuban Comrades helped their African brothers to inflict the first military defeat upon the racist army of South Africa in Angola". In this respect, Fidel Castro and the Cuban movement qualified as catalyst and rock. So, indeed does Jamaica's Michael Manley. One Love, One Heart.
A Dental Surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former Cabinet Minister and General Secretary in the PNP Administration of the 1970's.
