Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-05-03
AN EDUCATED ZULU SPEAKS

An EDUCATED ZULU SPEAKS
-, The following address deliver ed Al
the First Interstate congress OF South
Africa by Mr.. John l. DUDE Will De
read with interest. 'n & 'eH.
Mr.. DUDE is q native Zulu. educated
in America. and started some years
ago In South Africa an Industrial
school on somewhat, the same lines a.
that Of Tuskegee institute. Mr.. DUDE
has made himself to such an extent
the leader OF his own people In south
Africa, that he has been chosen the
first president OF the first Interstate
Native congress. His address Ioi
lows: ~
Gentlemen Of the South African Ma
tive Congress:
1t Is meet that my frst word to you
should be one expressive OF my high
and heartfelt appreciation OF the CONN.,
dence which my countrymen assem-
bled in Boemfontein have thought we'll
to repose In me. and Of my thanks Tor
this unique honor, all unexpected ana
undeserved, which they have thrust
upon me. Not even present at their
gathering (having been unavo'dablg
debarred that pleasure by pressing
educational and editorial calls at
home). they nevertheless went out OF
their way to seek me out in this re-
hottest corner Of Natal and to elect me
the first president of this the first IN
terstate Native congress OF all South
Africa. For this kind act I now 40
thank them and the dignity bestowed
hereby formally accept.
Gentlemen. 1t seems to me that the
day Of our races renaissance Is al
length at hand, indeed 1t would not be
inappropriate to mark this 9Th day OF
January, and in future years so to
commemorate It as the red letter day
of our peoples hopes, as the birthday
Of our existence as political entity
in this new South Africa.
l say this New South Africa!" for
the South Africa we see today devel-
oping before US is no more the South
Africa known to our fathers. Yet
none the less will It be the home and
native land OF our children. And for
them we have to make straight the
path and prepare q comfortable place
In the sun" Although, as race we
possess the unique distinction Of being
the first born sons OF this great and
beautiful continent; although as
race we can claim an ancestry more
ancient than almost any round about
US, yet as citizens Of the glorious Brit
ish empire. we are the last born chill
dren, just awakening into political life,
born on the 9Th day of January. in this
the year Of grace 1912.
Yes; politically, newborn babes. we
are still very young and inexperienced.
and as such 1t behooves us to feel our
way slowly and warily. While teach
ing ourselves to walk boldly and up
rightly before all mankind, we must
still be careful ever to seek out the
way where wisdom mot mere senti.
ment or desired leadeth. treading
softly, ploddingly, along the bright
path illumined by righteousness and
reason-the steep, thorny path. yet
only one that will safely and surely
lead US to our goal, the attainment Of
our rightful inheritance as sons OF
Africa and citizens Of the South Afri-
can commonwealth.
Many are the difficulties foresee In
our way-enemies without, fierce but
frank: dangers within, undersigned per-
haps, but still more harmful. 1t will
be an uphill fight. but our watchword
shall be "Excelsior!"-Onward. high
err; cautiously, ploddingly! BY dint
Of our perseverance, our patience, our
reasonableness, our law-abiding meth.
DDS and the Justice of our demands.
all these obstacles shall be removed
and enemies overcome. We have been
distinguished by the world as a race
of born gentlemen-a truly glorious
title, bestowed on few other people,
and by the gentlenes of our manners
(poor though we may be, unlettered
and ill-clad) and by the nobility Of our
character shall we break down the ad-
amantine wall Of color prejudice and
force even our enemies to be our ad-
mirers and our friends.
Gentlemen! for better or for worse.
you have selected me to be for the
nonce your president AS l trust you
will therefore permit me to indicate
the way, and trow I shall never lead
you astray. For while I shall at all
times endeavor to be straight goer,
l propose also to be strong leader
not one dragged by the nose, still less
one pulled by the tail, for as already
said, my war-cry is-Onward! Up
ward into the higher places Of civili-
cation and Christianity-not backward
into the slump Of darkness, nor down.
ward into the abyss of antiqus.ed tri-
bal systems-our salvation is not
there, but in preparing ourselves to
take an honored place among the ma
tons.
You have asked me to lead, and per-
chance you would ask me now how
l intend to do so. will show you my
frame of mind and my ideal in two
words-I take for my motto (and !
hope as faithful and dutiful followers.
it will be yours also), Festina lente,
Hasten Slowly; and for my patron
saint l select that great and edifying
man, Booker T. Washington.
I recognize that the hour is come
when we, the native races Of South
Africa, must be up and doing; for God
helps those who help themselves. But