A vibrant celebration of culture, identity, and shared humanity unfolded at the University of Pretoria as the Xhosa Society hosted a deeply meaningful event centered on Ubuntu—the belief that a person is shaped through others.

Opening with traditional royal greetings, Queen Khazeka paid tribute to the various Xhosa royal houses, honoring their legacy and presence. The atmosphere was one of pride and cultural reverence, setting the tone for a speech that blended isiXhosa and English to ensure inclusivity, especially for distinguished guests.

Among those present was Ambassador Nini Okey-Uche, whose attendance was described as more than diplomatic. Her presence symbolized African unity across borders, languages, and traditions—a reminder that despite diversity, the continent shares a common home.

The event also spotlighted the creativity and passion of students. Performances filled the space with poetry, music, and cultural expression, each act serving as a living archive of heritage. The Queen praised the students for going beyond entertainment, describing their efforts as a bridge connecting histories, cultures, and people.

At the heart of the gathering was a powerful message: “Umntu wakha ngamava awafumana komnye umntu”—a person is built through the experiences they gain from others. Using the metaphor of a bird building its nest with feathers from different birds, the speech emphasized that growth and success are never achieved in isolation.

She highlighted how every individual, regardless of status, depends on others—from domestic workers to professionals—reinforcing the idea that wealth and independence are never absolute. This, she explained, is the essence of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”

The speech also reflected on history, acknowledging the impact of colonization, which once pressured African societies to abandon their languages and identities. Yet, the message was clear—while learning from others is valuable, it should never come at the cost of losing one’s cultural roots.

A recent cultural misunderstanding in Gompo was cited as a lesson in the importance of respect and awareness. What was meant to be a cultural installation ceremony had been misinterpreted by outsiders, highlighting the dangers of ignorance. The Queen urged the audience to listen, learn, and seek understanding before forming judgments.

Turning to the students, she delivered a powerful charge. As future leaders, educators, and thinkers, they carry the responsibility to embody and spread Ubuntu. Their role is not only to succeed individually but to uplift others and shape minds grounded in unity and respect.

In closing, the message returned to its core: no one stands alone. No culture thrives in isolation. True strength lies in collaboration, understanding, and shared humanity.

With a call to build together—with respect, love, and unity—the event ended on a note that resonated far beyond the hall.

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Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s annual conference in Enugu, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa, declaring that the future of Africa’s prosperity depends on the solidarity and industrial growth of its two biggest economies.

Malema paid tribute to Nigeria’s historic role in South Africa’s liberation struggle, recalling how Nigerians sacrificed salaries, students paid the “Mandela tax,” and successive governments stood firmly against apartheid. He urged both nations to transform that legacy of solidarity into concrete economic partnerships today.

“The path forward is clear,” Malema said. “Nigeria and South Africa must industrialise together—building factories, processing resources on African soil, and creating African-owned conglomerates that can power the continent. Imagine Nigeria’s oil wealth joined with South Africa’s mining expertise—this is how we reclaim Africa’s future.”

He criticized the continent’s dependency on exporting raw materials, only to import finished goods at high costs, calling it a modern form of economic enslavement. Malema also warned African nations against piling up foreign loans, describing them as a “debt trap” that mortgages the future of generations to come.

On xenophobia, he was uncompromising: “A Nigerian in Johannesburg or a Ghanaian in Cape Town is not a foreigner—they are Africans contributing to our progress. Xenophobia is a sickness born of poverty, inequality, and government failure, and it undermines everything we stand for as Africans.”

Malema further called for freer movement across the continent, including visa-free travel between Nigeria and South Africa, harmonized trade policies, and major infrastructure projects to connect African economies into one integrated market.

Placing his message within a wider Pan-African vision, he restated the EFF’s radical call for a borderless Africa with a single currency, one parliament, and a united military command. He also expressed solidarity with oppressed peoples worldwide, from Palestine to Western Sahara and beyond, insisting Africa must build its own legal and justice systems instead of relying on Western-controlled institutions.

“We are not a dark continent,” Malema declared to loud applause. “How can we be dark when we have diamonds that shine among us? Together, Nigeria and South Africa can lead Africa into a future where we are not beggars but giants—united, industrialised, and in full control of our destiny.”

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