Back 

PAMBANI JEREMIAH MZIMBA

Such has been the state of South Africans, but education is creating in the rising generation a keen sense of intellectual hunger and binding the communities of various clans together by cords of common interest and tribal sympathy. . . In Africa the set time has come for our advancement and the key and instrument with which to open the vast treasuries of knowledge is the English language. . . And if the Negro is industrious, frugal, saving, diligent in labour, and laborious in study, there is another law that will quietly and peaceably, without social or political shock, restore him to his normal relations in politics. He will be able to build up his government on a solid foundation with tempered mortar of experience and knowledgeThis is inevitable. The Negro will return to politics in the South when he is qualified to govern, and will return to stay. . . The remarks made about the Negroes in America are very much applicable to the South African Natives. Let the experience of Africans in America give warning in time to the Africans in Africa to let politics alone at present. Let us be content to be ruled by the colonist. Let us only have to do with politics in order to encourage those white men who desire to give us schools and books.

- Pambani Jeremiah Mzimba, "Education Among The Natives", Imvo Zabantsundu, December 30, 1886.

Back