Dear Editor,
In 1975 during the visit of the Council of Namibia to Guyana, the Burnham-led People’s National Congress government unveiled a monument to the African Liberation Fighters. The Monument’s inscription is instructive thirty-eight years later, as some with an axe to grind attempt to besmirch Burnham record on South Africa. “Mourn not for us who died; But for our brothers everywhere who live in bondage; And in mourning turn away to act!” This is significant, because on the issue of the liberation of Southern Africa, Burnham was not just an actor but a principal leader. In the face of criticism by the likes of Dr Horace Campbell, there is no need to defend Burnham’s record on the liberation of Africa, and more specifically Southern Africa. The facts are in the public domain for all to see. Forbes Burnham, his party the PNC and the people of Guyana showed visionary leadership in the liberation movement. The people of Guyana gave their blood and their treasure for the liberation of Southern Africa. At a time when others felt that our pledge of monetary support for the struggle was too “grandiose” and a waste of money, Burnham showed leadership and said that we were giving because it was our duty to give.
Editor, the red herrings that were thrown into the debate, and which influenced the South African Government to reverse its decision to give the OR Tambo Award to Burnham are in my opinion malicious and political grandstanding. When Burnham made the decision to allow Cuban planes with military personnel and equipment, en-route to Africa to refuel at Timehri, he knew the political and economic risk, but he did it because it was the right thing to do. When Burnham pledged an annual donation of US$50,000 to the Freedom Fighters, he knew it was a financial sacrifice, but we did it because it was the right thing to do. When the Burnham government joined the Olympic boycott in 1972 he knew that Guyana’s opportunity to gain a gold medal in the 200 metres would be forfeited, but we did not attend, and James Wren-Gilkes never got his gold medal, but it was a sacrifice we made for our brothers to be free. When Burnham gave scholarships to African students to study in Guyana (free of charge), he did it because he knew that there was a need for leaders in the movement and leaders had to be educated. Burnham was never silent on the question of the rights of the African states to be free and he not only talked the talk, but he backed it up with action.
The Burnham record on Southern Africa is clear and unambiguous, for as early as the 1950s he was condemning the killings in Nyasaland and calling for an end to the brutal regimes in Southern Africa. Out of government he called for a boycott of goods to the Pretoria regime and for a fund to assist the relatives of those who had fallen at Sharpeville and Pondoland.
Editor, I urge our young people who did not live through this period to do their research and review the Burnham record on the liberation movement. I close like I opened in saying that there is no need for anyone to defend Forbes Burnham’s record on Southern Africa. It is a stellar record and will stand the test of time, for what he did and what he did in our name (Guyana) in no small way was directly responsible for the liberation of Southern Africa.
Your faithfully,
Mark Archer
