Africa has, over the last half-century, been hailed as a land of greatness, abundance, and prestige. It is also the home to some of the Greatest African leaders, some gone however they fondly live in our memories. These are some of the names that pioneer the African greatness list;
- NELSON MANDELA
Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, elected in a democratic election. Mandela sacrificed a great deal of his life fighting against apartheid in the country before becoming president. Regarded as one of the greatest African leaders of all time and the greatest freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela is a Nobel Peace prize winner and has won more than 250 other accolades.
He was released from Robben Island prison after 27 years after his arrest in 1956 for his activist battles. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end the apartheid system in South Africa. Widely acknowledged as a symbol of democracy and social justice, his life is a testimonial inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived. He is therefore deemed as a symbol of global peace and considered by many to be the greatest African leader.
- HAILE SELASSIE
Haile Selassie, or Ras Tafari Makonnen, was a member of the Solomonic Dynasty. He was an Ethiopian ruler from 1916 to 1974. In his reign, Haile Selassie ensured that Ethiopia was never colonized by any European nation. Ethiopia and Liberia were the only countries to manage this great feat, showing how effective his rule in Ethiopia was back then when many African nations crumbled down to colonialism.
During his time in power, he fought for social fairness and focused on the education of people by constructing many schools. Ethiopia consequentially became a charter member of the UN as a result of his views and visions.
- JOMO KENYATTA
Originally known as Johnstone Kamau, he was one of the most popular influential fighters of African independence. Jomo Kenyatta was a political activist who was opposed to the colonial rule of Kenya. He became the first president of Kenya. Kenyatta played a major role in ensuring that Kenya gained independence in 1963.
He was on the front line of the Kenya National African Union. He presided over the social and economic integration of Kenya. He promoted peace during his reign as president and oversaw the registration of Kenya with the African Union
- KWAME NKURUMAH
Dr. Kwame Nkurumah is a praised politician from Ghana who led his country from 1951 to 1966 with the main mission to gain independence from their colonial masters, the British. He held the position of the first president of Ghana. Kwame was a Pan-Africanist and strong philanthropist who assisted in forming the African Union, formerly the Organization of African Union.
- JULIUS NYERERE.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was the first president of the Republic of Tanzania. He ruled from 1961 to 1985. Nyerere played a major role in forming the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and became president of this party.
He pressured Britain toward independence. Tanzania gained self-governance in 1961. Nyerere successfully negotiated the union of Zanzibar and Tanganyika in 1964, resulting in what we know today as Tanzania.
- PATRICE LUMUMBA
Lumumba was a Congolese politician who fought for Congo’s independence from Belgian colonialism. He was the first prime minister of the Republic of Congo in 1960. The Congolese National Movement was founded by Patrice and he made use of Pan African ideologies to gain independence. Congo gained its freedom from Belgium in 1961, largely due to Lumumba’s struggles.
- KOFI ANNAN
Kofi Annan was a highly revered Ghanaian diplomat. From 1997 to 2006 he successfully led the United Nations as its 7th secretary-general. Annan fought the AIDS pandemic in Africa during its outbreak, and he actively worked to erase social issues in the world. A good example is when he was the Mediator of the two rival Kenyan parties after the 2007 Post Election Violence (P.E.V) as he helped bring peace and stability to Kenya. In 2006, Kofi and the United Nations were awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for their hard work.
- THOMAS ISIDORE NOEL SANKARA
Thomas Sankara is viewed as an African icon of the French colonial revolution. Many refer to him as the ‘Che Guevara of Africa’. He became the president of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987. Thomas was a headstrong Pan Africanist who seized power in 1983 and worked to eliminate corruption and eradicate the former French colonial power’s dominance.
- KENNETH KAUNDA.
Kenneth Kaunda is a retired politician who became the first president of Zambia and held office from 1964 to 1991. He gained political experience in 1949 when he served as a foreign affairs interpreter. Kenneth used peaceful protests and negotiations as a leader of the United National Independence Party to successfully gain independence for Zambia in 1964.
- ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was among the first great African female leaders and heads of state. She was the 24th president of Liberia who held office from 2006 to 2018. She has been praised for bringing steadiness back to Liberia after many years of civil unrest. Ellen is also referred to as ‘Africa’s Iron Lady’ and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
