Mancham looks beyond peace award

In our issue of April 15 we published an article entitled ‘Mancham calls for re-activation of the Spirit of Harambee’ which mostly dealt with the ceremony concerning the presentation of the Africa

In our issue of April 15 we published an article entitled ‘Mancham calls for re-activation of the Spirit of Harambee’ which mostly dealt with the ceremony concerning the presentation of the Africa Peace Award 2016 to Seychelles founding President James R. Mancham in Nairobi on Tuesday April 12. We have now received from the office of Sir James a collection of congratulatory messages which Sir James has received for the occasion. The following are excerpts of the messages:

The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth:

“…Many congratulations on the Africa Peace Award and my very best wishes for the Nairobi forum. This is truly a world deserved award and testament to your commitment to advancing peaceful and harmonious societies in Africa. It would be a pleasure to welcome you to Marlborough House when you are next in London.”


Dr. Sashi Tharoor, M.P., Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, India:

“Warmest congratulations Sir James on your peace prize.”

James P. Flynn, International President of the Global Peace Foundation:

“It is heartening to see Africa recognise your statesmanship and contribution to the stability of peace in Seychelles among other parts of the world… We thank you for your commitment to our shared cause of African leadership in peace-building and good governance.”

David Caprara, International Vice-President of Global Peace Foundation:

“Our entire global community of Global Peace Foundation extend heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your Africa Peace Prize Award”.

David Krieger, President Nuclear Age Peace Foundation of California, USA:

”It is welcome news at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation that Sir James R. Mancham, founding President of Seychelles, is being honoured on April 12, 2016 with the Africa Peace Award 2016, He is a man who knows the great value of peace.”

Glenn Forbes, Principal Oceanus Live News Network:

“Watching from afar over a number of years I have had the honour and great pleasure to communicate with and in a small measure act as a quasi advocate of Sir James Mancham’s works on a wide range of matters of humanitarian development and peace-building. That he has been once more recognised for the tireless work to promote the well-being of those in a less fortunate position throughout the African continent is no surprise… I am a retired Royal Navy Officer, I salute you Sir.”

Charmeen Crozier, Common Purpose Africa Venture:

“A heartfelt thank you for dedicating your precious time to spend with the Africa Venture participants in Nairobi, Kenya. It was a true honour to be graced by your presence and to witness your acceptance of the peace award. You are a true inspiration and your humanitarian efforts are admirable.”

Nachiket Dave, senior advocate Supreme Court of India, New Delhi:

“Let me start by saying that the contributions of Sir James are truly a boon to mankind. Very seldom do we come across men of such high intellect and a heart full of love that they tirelessly devote their lives for the betterment of humanity… A splendid quote that I had read somewhere presently comes to mind which says: ‘Let’s pray for a world where the weak are safe and the strong are just. The same sentiments are echoed by the efforts which Sir James undertakes each day of his life”.

Asaf Hajiyev, Executive Secretary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey:

“I have the honour to sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of being awarded the Africa Peace Award 2016. I remember with particular pleasure your memorable visit in March 2015 to the PABSEC international secretariat in Istanbul when you delivered an outstanding speech confirming your will to see peace reign all over the world.”

Squadron leader Ankur Naik, former ADC to the President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Mrs Pratibha Patil:

“Sir James, founding President of Seychelles, is serving as an example and an inspiration to many people in Africa and beyond for ensuring the return of peace, democracy and development on the African continent and is truly one of the 20th Century’s most remarkable personalities.”

Ben Boultbee, Director of BBI Media Film and Television Company Australia:

“Sir James Mancham has worked tirelessly in many capacities to bring about change in the world we live in. Peace is a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel in these times. Those striving for that light deserve to be recognised, Congratulations Sir James on this prestigious award”

Erna H. Athanasius, M.D. FAAP Consultant Paediatrician, Seychelles Ambassador for Women and Children:

“I wish to convey my heartfelt congratulations to Sir James R. Mancham on all his wonderful achievements and statesmanship. He is a man to look up to and a role model par excellence. I always enjoy our conversations and look forward to meeting him again in the future.”

Professor Negoslav Ostojic, Executive Drector of the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD), Belgrade, Serbia:

“It gives me great pleasure to inform you how happy we at ECPD in Belgrade is with the news that you have been awarded the Africa Peace Award 2016. You have indeed worked tirelessly in the pursuit of peace and your recognition is well deserved.”

Georgina Dillon, Editor-in-Chief of Kreol International Magazine:

“This year’s Africa Peace Award must be viewed in the light of the prevailing situation in a world with great tension, numerous wars, unresolved conflicts and confrontations on many fronts and not least is the imminent danger of the spread of nuclear weapons, degradation of the environment and global warming. The proud Seychellois Sir James R. Mancham has lived an intrepid life, an adventure that is far from over. Always an advocate of peaceful international co-existence, Sir James has become a truly global citizen fully deserving of this year’s Africa Peace Award.”

Bashir A. Currimjee Gosk, Chairman Currimjee Jeewanjee and Co. Ltd, Port Louis, Mauritius:

“I wish I could be present at the award ceremony to personally applaud Sir James for his world deserved recognition for his dedicated and sustained engagement in bridge building to bring about reconciliation, understanding and harmonious development among peoples of different nationalities, cultures and faith.”

George V. Itty, Chief Executive and co-Founder of Nahtam, philanthropic, charitable and benevolent organisation based in Abu Dhabi, UAE:

“We would like to extend our congratulations to Sir James for the recognition. Nahtam will be publishing the good news on its network.”

Olivier Giscard d’Estaing, Chairman International Movement for Relations Between States and Religions:

“We have been impressed with the writings of Sir James and the value of his wisdom. That is why our board of administrators has decided to invite him to become a member of the Comité d’Honneur of our association. We are therefore happy to congratulate him on the Africa Peace Award 2016 which he richly deserves.”

Professor Dennis Hardy, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles:

“I was delighted to read of your latest success. Many congratulations. Let us now move forward with the idea of Seychelles as a hub for peace studies. I look forward to discussing further.”

Igor I. Kandrashin, President World Philosophical Forum (WPF), Athens, Greece:

“The WPF board representing the most prominent philosophers of the Earth are glad and support the decision of the URI-Africa to present the Africa Peace Award 2016 to Sir James R. Mancham. This decision is taken when peace on our planet is in great danger.”

Anthony Okonmah, Chief Executive Officer African Trade Development Centre, Florida, USA:

“We at the Africa Trade Development Centre send our sincere congratulations to you Sir James. Your years of devotion to peace and prosperity in Africa deserves this important recognition indeed.”

Sidney To, Seychelles Consul General in Shanghai, China:

“My heartfelt congratulations to Sir James for his long time work contributing to peace in Africa and the rest of the world.”

Lady Carla Davis, MPH Nutrition, Cabinet Minister, Environment, Global Energy Parliament (GEP), Contributing Editor, the NZ Journal of Natural Medicine:

“Your extraordinary leadership, devoted hard work and tireless effort to revolutionise the world’s ideology, energy and resources towards peace, culture and philosophy are an inspiration to everyone who yearns for a more peaceful, equitable and socially just world. If only more leaders shared your vision, creativity and heart. In fact the world desperately needs more inspiring leaders, statesmen and women like you, Sir James.”

Professor Dr Eva Latham, President Human Rights Teaching International, The Hague, Netherlands:

“Sir James has, notwithstanding all the pains the contemporary world contains, inspire “we the people and the leaders from different nations, cultures, religions and continents to build a culture based on inclusive thinking. His books, articles, interviews, speeches and advice are a moral compass for each and everyone of us – Human Rights Teaching International is proud of your achievements and respectfully says to you congratulations on the Africa Peace Award which you so well deserve.”

Governing body of the Global Energy Parliament, India and with blessing from its founder, His Holiness Swami Isa:

“It is rare to find a committed public servant who after demitting office, continues to travel the world preaching his vision of peace and reminding world leaders about their responsibilities to the planet and its inhabitants. It is rarer still to find a former President so humbly willing to go to any length to promote the cause of peace in all corners of the globe – to Sir James peace is not an election slogan, it is his very life blood. The continuing struggles of Africa and Seychelles are immensely important to him and are given a gifted global spokesman through Sir James’ magnificent intellect, charisma, poetic passion and moving personal story.”

Questioned by Seychelles NATION as to how he sees the future, Sir James said that receipt of the peace award marks the ending of a chapter but with God’s blessing he is hopeful that there are other chapters to write in the history of his life.

He said that this week he will focus on the launching in Seychelles of the 3D film called ‘Aldabra Once Upon an Island’ which according to him will constitute the most important event of this year’s Carnaval de Victoria.

“The publicity fall-out from the film is going to be enormous and Seychelles tourism must be geared to cope with an avalanche of interest in our archipelago as the film is shown around the world.

Last night) I entertaining the Czech producer, my friend Petre Keller of Starlight Pictures, producer of the film on Aldabra who was accompanied by the film’s distributor from Hollywood Lise Romanof – The week after he hopes to have follow-up discussion with Professor Dennis Hardy of the University of Seychelles on his ideas of promoting a Centre for Peace Studies under the aegis of the university. In between this and another long list of commitments he hopes to find the time to complete a new book he is writing about his connection with Africa which will be entitled ‘Smile, Beloved Africa, Smile’. But while Africa as a continent is on his mind, he will be praying and will continue to pray for the re-emergence and consolidation of fraternal harmony within our nation.”

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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