The International Russophile Movement is proud to declare our forum in Johannesburg, South Africa to be a major success. The Forum was attended by invitation by more than 200 guests from a broad range of backgrounds including: CEOs, Government Ministers, Journalists, Entrepreneurs, Civil Engineers, Activists, Scientists, Educators and Media Moguls. The forum consisted of three major sections.
1) «Problems of Racism, Fascism, Russophobia and other forms of Discrimination»
Both Russians and Africans continue to face incredible and sometimes systemic discrimination to the benefit of the Collective West. This section wad dedicated to how these forms of manipulation can be dealt with in a peaceful manner.
2) «Building Practical Ties: Russophiles, Solidarity Networks and Counter Hegemonic Alliances»
Russia and Africa find themselves both physically and often culturally distant, how can these two great civilizations create strong ties to provide mutual benefit? This section was dedicated to that question.
3) «The Civilizational aspect of the African Continent»
Just what exactly is the African civilizational space and how is it going to evolve in the Multipolar World being born in our 21st century? This is a huge but critically important question to discuss as the future of this great region could depend on the answer.
They key note address that started the forum was given by Nomvula Mokonyane, who is the First Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) and has held numerous ministerial positions in the past within the South African government. She is regarded as the most famous female activist in all of today’s South Africa and is one of the most influential people in the nation.
Her words were followed by video addresses from Russian Media Mogul and Christian Activist Konstantin Malofeev and Russian Philosopher Alexander Dugin.
The first session «Problems of Racism, Fascism, Russophobia and other forms of Discrimination» was highlighted by the words of former South African Ambassador and Deputy Chairperson of the South African Broadcasting Corporation and current politician and ANC member Fébé Potgieter, who has worked with eh ANC Youth League to deal with these very types of issues such as racism and discrimination.
The session also featured: Internationally renowned journalist Pepe Escobar, Professor of Fudan University and Director of the China Institute Zhang Weiwei, Former American politician Cynthia McKinney and Ambassador of Venezuela to South Africa Carlos Federico Feo Acedvedo.
The second session «Building Practical Ties: Russophiles, Solidarity Networks and Counter Hegemonic Alliances» featured many great speakers all eager to share their professional experiences. The panel included: Famous American Blogger and Political Commentator Jackson Hinkle who was the moderator of the session, Professor of Geopolitics at the Military Academies in France, Switzerland, Morocco and Tunisia Aymeric Chauprade, Geopolitical Analyst Joe Mhlanga, Geopolitical Journalist Tšepiso Makwetla, Pepe Escobar, and Carte Blanche Presenter and Journalist Govan Whittles.
The third session «The Civilizational aspect of the African Continent» was moderated by famous Russian geopolitical expert and Chief Analyst of the Tsargrad Institute.
This deep cultural and geopolitical discussion featured the following panel members: Activist of the International Russophile Movement Amadou Sekou Gambi, Soulemane Ndaye Deputy Secretary General of the International Russophile Movement, Academician Professor Sipho Seepe, Trade Ambassador for South Africa H.E. Gordon A. Noah, and Zhang Weiwei.
Both Russia and Africa have faced similar forms of colonialization in various forms from the West and that is exactly why these sessions at our form were so critical. It was an event to share being on the same sides of many issues just at huge geographical distances from each other.
There has been for decades in Russia and centuries in Africa an ever-present voice telling the populations of these great civilizations that there is something “wrong with them” and that if they would just “accept Western values” they would get to join the “Golden Billion”. These sweet little lies, although tempting, have proven to be disastrous and the Global Hegemon has taken done its best to keep Africans and Russians down in their place as resource exporters. Thus it is not surprising that the spirit of resistance born during the Soviet period in both Russia and Africa continues so strongly to this day. Cooperation between Russia and Africa will only further continue to push the Hegemon of his Golden Throne building a better day for the Global South.
To this end Russophobia is a dire threat, as it can be used to drive a wedge between Russia and Afica on all sorts of issues especially those that are economic. “Divide and Conquer” as well as “Witch-hunts” are strategies that belong in the past. And thus, the Russophiles have conducted our first event on the African Continent to send a message this racism and fear mongering are not acceptable and that Russia and Africa can build friendly, productive and respectful ties in the 21st century.
The International Russophile Movement looks forward to continued cooperation with our new and old friends in Africa especially our gracious hosts in Johannesburg, South Africa. As Africa and Russia march towards a Multipolar World our bonds are sure to only increase with time. We would like to thank all of those who attended this event.