Chief Albert Luthuli Primary and Pre-School
Chief Albert Luthuli Primary School was named after the former President-General of the African National Congress (ANC), Inkosi Albert John Luthuli also known by his Zulu people Mvumbi. Luthuli was elected president of the ANC in 1952, at the time an umbrella organization that led opposition to white minority government in South Africa, and served until his accidental death on 21st July 1967. He was also a traditional South African chief, a teacher, activist and the first African to be awarded Nobel Peace Prize (1960) for non-violent struggle against apartheid. Though the apartheid government restricted his movements, Luthuli was granted special permission in 1961 to attend the award ceremony in Oslo, Norway. In his acceptance speech he said that he considered the award “recognition of the sacrifices made by the peoples of all races in South Africa particularly the African people who have endured and suffered so much for so long”.
Chief Albert Luthuli was the leader of ten million black Africans in their nonviolent campaign for civil rights in South Africa, demands for equality and peace among all men. Luthuli forged a philosophical compatibility between two cultures, the Zulu culture of his native Africa and the Christian-democratic culture of Europe. In leading his people he was always democratic and consulted his people before any decision could be taken. He was honest, transparent and accountable to his people. The choice of Luthuli meant that the Nobel Committee had placed respect for human rights on the agenda, and that it had joined the international movement against apartheid. This was taken a step further in 1984, when Luthuli’s countryman Bishop Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Prize for Peace.
Inkosi Albert John Luthuli “Mvumbi” (1898 – 1967) |
|
Chief Albert Luthuli Primary and Pre-School is located within the Solomon Mahlangu Campus (SMC), and it save more than 1500 pupils enrolled to Nursery School (Kindergarten) and primary school level from standard I to VII. The school are run and managed by Morogoro Municipal Council, nevertheless all the buildings are owned by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
The relentless struggle of those who fought against the oppressive apartheid regime in South Africa has produced many heroes. Among the list Chief Albert Luthuli is highly recognized for his outstanding contributions and efforts for the cause of human freedom, human dignity, non-racialism, democracy and peace in South Africa, Africa and the world.
A mobilization slogan of “Peace and Friendship” on a wall of Chief Albert Luthuli Primary and Pre-school at Solomon Mahlangu Campus. |
Since its foundation of African National Congress (ANC) in 1912, focused on the efforts to achieve human rights by deputation, petition, or mass protests had met with increasing repression. In the 1955 ANC Freedom Charter, ANC fight and strategies for Peace and Friendship in South Africa with expectations that South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and sovereignty of all nations; South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation – not war; Peace and friendship amongst all our people shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all; The people of the protectorates Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland shall be free to decide for themselves their own future; The right of all peoples of Africa to independence and self-government shall be recognized, and shall be the basis of close co-operation.