Morung Express News
Kohima | October 31
Emphasising on the theme of the occasion ‘Celebrating the legacy’, Honored Guest Philippus Petrus Visser mentioned that the whole notion of celebrating the legacy reverberates with power but also raises the question, ‘what is the legacy that we are celebrating?’ He was addressing the 100 years of Naga Club commemorated today by the Naga Students’ Federation at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
As a guest and outsider, Visser mentioned that he had no authority to talk about the Naga struggle, however one value of being an outsider is the ability to ask questions that local people cannot ask because of the sensitivity or asking questions people have forgotten. Visser however mentioned that he had to share some experiences in the hope that they might resonate with the Naga people and they might draw some insights and lessons and perhaps, inspiration as well.
From his experiences of working in different contexts with people that are struggling for independence, and self determination, is that, to retain unity in the struggle is not just important but extremely difficult. Sharing his experiences and the struggles of his country South Africa Visser said, “The value of the Africans in finding a way to grow together out of the two devastative wars was very important for us to rebuild ourselves as a people and as a country.”
Using the notion of unity to rebuild themselves and their country, Visser mentioned that they had to apply unity to the notion of the broader South African struggle, which were crucial lessons to learn.
“These struggles contain contradictions and you have to find a way to overcome those inherent contradictions,” said Visser adding that managing to find a common ground and overcome the contradictions was important.
“Seeds of difference are often turned into plants of division, through which, they take control of our minds. We need to reshape how we should think. We should never underestimate the power of the vision that is on privilege and identity,” said Visser.
