Chair, Julius Nyerere once said that African nationalism is meaningless, dangerous and anachronistic if it is not at the same time Pan-Africanism. The ID wholeheartedly supports this view, and we believe that we have to continuously fight for the long-held dream of a united and prosperous Africa.
I stand before this House as a proud African who has travelled the length and breadth of this continent. I've been struck by the enormous creativity and resilience of ordinary African people, which I believe must be unlocked in any future governance structure of Africa.
It is often said that Africa is resource-rich but governance-poor. We must set about changing that. Seeing that today is my birthday, I want to make a wish. [Interjections.] That wish is that in my lifetime I will see Africa merge as a united superpower that can lead the world on a new path of sustainable development.
It might be just a wish, but 10 years ago, after travelling through the despair of the then Congo, I never believed that I would be sitting in Parliament listening to the poignant address of a democratically elected President of that country. In Africa the impossible is possible. Let us all work towards the vision of a united and prosperous Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]