United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken began his three-nation tour of Africa on Sunday by paying a visit at the museum in South Africa, which marks how the Black young people of the nation have helped in ending white racist rule.
Secretary Blinken’s visit to Africa is observed as part of an ongoing tussle between Russia and Western powers to gain favour from African nations over the war in Ukraine. His trip to Africa has observed recent tours by Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov and President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
As per reports, South Africa is one of the several nations of the African region which have maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and have not publicly criticized Moscow.
Blinken has paid a visit at 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.
