The 25 May Movement

The 25 May Movement is a non-profit, apolitical, Pan-African mental renaissance organisation. It identifies the need for people to re-establish the negative image of Africa that has often been perceived. Decades after independence, Africa is still suffering from the effects of colonialism and poor management and the condition is ravaging both young and old Africans. Africa is in a state of politi

cal independence but mental and social colonisation prevails. The effects of this syndrome can be seen in the widespread inferiority complex we are suffering, a complex that manifests itself at both individual and national levels. Our continent is brimming with innovation and brilliant ideas that are not seeing their full potential realised because of a nagging either conscious or sub-conscious belief that what ever we produce cannot be competitive on a global level. The 25 May Movement is pushing for The Great African Independence through Pan-African ideals, cultural activism and conversation circles. We seek to unite the continent in a movement that glorifies its people, and culture. We are using it as an instrument for the change that Africa desperately needs. FOUNDING:

In May of 2016, the 25 May Movement was born. Then seventeen-year old Tanatsei Gambura, a Zimbabwean poet, launched the campaign with her poem entitled “We Are Africans”. It highlighted the stubborn, retrogressive stereotypes associated with the continent and claimed the African narratives for Africans all around the world. The poem was chorally recited by Tanatsei and fifteen of her high school friends, filmed and published on Facebook and Youtube. To date, it has reached over sixty thousand views. It was then performed at cultural events around Harare during the year. The group went on to broadcast their efforts on a local radio station, urging people to start thinking about the Africa they want to see in a positive light. The movement had begun. NAME:

The 25 May Movement derives its name from the day declared by the African Union as Africa Day. We want every day to be a day that Africans celebrate their identity. MANIFESTO:

We are The 25 May Movement. We strive to illuminate a diversity of possibilities, the diversity that is Africa and its people. We are changing minds one thought at a time; one conversation at a time, one person at a time. VISION STATEMENT:

For all Africans to claim themselves.