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Former First Lady of South Africa, her Excellency Dame Graça Machel has reminded Barbados, that unlike the time of slavery, citizens have an opportunity to chart their own future.
Dame Graça, the widow of former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, wants black people to be masters of themselves and not allow anyone to look down on them.
The advice was shared as she sat down with Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Carol Roberts for a public discussion titled ‘Reflections on the Road to Freedom’.
It formed part of activities to commemorate International Day in Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition.
Dame Graça says black people and Africans have to assert themselves and internalise that they have rights just like anyone else.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley acknowledged the strides made since slavery, crediting this to the building of resilience.
She notes resilience will also be needed in tackling crises faced today.
