US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has started his three-nation tour of Africa on Sunday by paying a visit to the museum in South Africa, which commemorates how the Black youths of the country have helped in ending white racist rule.
Blinken’s tour to Africa is observed as part of a competition between Russia & Western powers for support from African nations over the war in Ukraine. His trip to Africa observes recent tours by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron.
South Africa is one of several African nations that have maintained neutral stance on the war and have not publicly criticised Russia.
Following an early morning arrival, Blinken visited the Hector Pieterson memorial in Soweto township, in Johannesburg, which paid honour to a student killed in 1976 when protesting South Africa’s regime of racial oppression, apartheid, which ended in 1994.
Secretary Blinken lead a wreath at the memorial accompanied by Pieterson’s sister, Antoinette Sithole. He also found the museum, which contains artefacts, photographs and videos of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
Blinken mentioned that, “Hector’s story is one that really echoes as we have our own struggle for freedom & equality in the United States, as well as South Africa’s story, is unique but there are also several common elements, and that echoes powerfully.”
“The museum is a reminder for generations to come. We must remember from where we come & where we are going, and don’t forget that the youth took a stand for us to be better today,” said Sithole.