The Sunday Mail
THE long awaited Book of African Records (BAR) launch is set for this Wednesday in Harare.
Kwame Muzawazi who is the editor-in-chief was happy that the book, which is the African version of the Guinness Book of World Records has finally come to fruition.
“Africa cannot blame anyone because the mandate to tell the world of our exploits resides in our hands.
“The world does not owe Africa the role of honest spokesmanship.
“Cognisant of an ongoing global war of information which touches the hearts of nations, Africa needs a voice within both the global media industry and the educational circles and in its own way BAR will contribute to fill this vacuum,” Kwame said.
Muzawazi said BAR as it is known was not just a book, but also a platform for action.
“Through the ‘Break a Record’ campaign, which is an off-shoot of the book, Africans are being challenged to set and break records. This ranges from individuals, communities, schools and even entire countries.
“This campaign will in time stimulate an appetite for competition and the reach for scintillating heights. This appetite, this hunger for greatness, is what makes great civilisations,” he said.
The content found in the groundbreaking Book of African Records Premiere Edition Zimbabwe, reflects Africa as a glorious colourful continent filled with endless possibilities. The first edition contains information that heralds a new turning point for a Pan-African society operating in post-colonial Africa. It celebrates the greatest deeds by the African people while also serving as a positive change agent against modern media portrayal of the African continent as home to war, disease, hunger and corruption.
The book also promotes Pan-Africanism as an objective that is being extracted by the documentation of achievements, acts and deeds of people of African descent.
The Book of African Records promotes such a system and when achieved consequently it will bring about the freedom of all peoples of African descent world-wide and at the same time make a monumental contribution to the world socialist movement.
“Living in a post-colonial era Africans deserve to know that they are outstanding pioneers who are still making waves and jaw dropping world records. The African story should be told by Africans for Africans as the inter-generational Pan African Agenda demands more from Africans in terms of breaking records and breaking records means breaking barriers.
“Our very own President R.G. Mugabe is featured in the book as part of the top ten outstanding leaders in Africa.
The list is primarily based on the individual’s dedication towards the liberation of their respective countries, contribution towards the development of Africa and general popularity today,” Kwame said.
Amongst these phenomenal leaders are Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel and Nelson Mandela to mention a few.
“Have you ever wondered where the name Africa comes from? This book gives you an in depth analysis on the roots of where the name is derived from. The book will serve the purpose of bringing before the world’s eyes achievements of the highest order by Africans in the fields of science, the humanities, sport, statecraft and religion among other disciplines.
“Africans themselves must give a voice and accentuation to their own accomplishments and contributions to global civilisation,” Muzawazi said.
Muzawazi is not new to record-breaking. He became the first black man to cross the African continent by land in 2010, after having first hit world headlines for entering the Guinness World Records for the longest lecture which lasted for 121 hours. He has set his sights on becoming Zimbabwe’s first space tourist in the near future.
He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Book of African Records marking a new era for not only Zimbabwe but Africa.
