Nobel Laureate Urges Africans to Rise Up

Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist, spoke at an annual lecture in honor of former South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who turned 87 on Monday. She challenged Africans to rise to the challenges facing the world’s poorest continent – not wait for handouts.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) – Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai on Tuesday challenged Africans to rise to the challenges facing the world’s poorest continent – not wait for handouts.

Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist, spoke at an annual lecture in honor of former South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who turned 87 on Monday.

Maathai expressed concern about African leaders who govern in their own interests and not those of their people. She urged them to invest in education and technical skills, manage their resources sustainably, promote peace and security, and strengthen their civil societies.

“Friends and leaders of Africa … should strive to empower Africa and not only give her alms,’‘ Maathai said.

She was joined on stage by fellow Nobel laureate and former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Clinton, who have delivered previous lectures.

“Here is the birthday boy – 87 years young,’‘ Tutu said as a frail-looking Mandela – also a Nobel winner – came on stage supported by his wife, Graca Machel. Tutu then led a theater full of political, business and other leaders in singing “Happy Birthday’‘ as Mandela blew out the candles on a giant cake.

Maathai said she was encouraged by the recent meeting of…

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