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Trip was rich in symbols, substance

From Johannesburg Bureau Chief Mike Hanna

April 8, 1998
Web posted at: 2:21 p.m. EDT (1421 GMT)

(CNN) -- In television terms, there is always a defining moment in a story: an image captured by chance or intention that sums up more effectively than any amount of words an entire process rather than a sequence of individual events.

In President Clinton's visit to Africa there was one such moment. Walking down the steps of President Mandela's scenic offices in Cape Town to address a news conference, the younger man stumbled; Mandela steadied him and the moment passed. But that instant -- the relatively young and physically vigorous leader of the most powerful country in the world helped by a sometimes frail-looking 79-year-old African president -- seemed to symbolize a theme of the visit: the United States needs Africa as much as Africa needs the United States.

From the moment he arrived in Ghana President Clinton insisted he was on the continent to forge partnerships rather than cultivate dependency. Time after time he made reference to a relationship between equals, making absolutely clear that his visit was aimed at removing once for all the image of Americans trampling underfoot national sovereignty and pride.

It was an attitude that struck a chord among Africa's people. And even the most optimistic would have been surprised by the sincerity and warmth of President Clinton's reception, at the sight of American flags being waved in the streets of Dakar, the markets of Kampala and a church in Soweto.

Underlying the enthusiasm was a deep sense of pride -- a genuine joy at being selected to be part of an American president's itinerary. It was perceived, correctly, that being chosen was a sign of approval, a recognition of efforts that had been made in transforming the nature of each host society. For once Africa had something of which to be proud: It was attracting attention for the right reasons rather than the wrong ones.

It was a presidential trip rich in symbolism. Accompanying Nelson Mandela into his old cell on Robben Island conveyed the respect that Clinton held not only for the South African president but also for the liberation struggle he had led. Ending the trip on Goree Island was an implicit acknowledgment of the shameful stain that the slave trade had left on the rich fabric of American history.

Yet it was not all about symbols. There were a number of encounters that dealt with substantive detail: the summit meeting in Uganda with regional leaders from East and Central Africa made a great deal of headway with regard to peacekeeping activities in the region, Nelson Mandela made clear in forthright terms African concerns about new Trade legislation being considered in the United States. These were more than diplomatic encounters for public consumption; they were vigorous encounters in which policy rather than protocol was discussed.

CNN's Mike Hanna says there's evidence Africa's recovery from centuries of exploitation has begun.

Now for the first time a continent appears willing to trust and believe in the words of support from an American president. This does not mean that relations have been transformed in a matter of 11 days; Africa has been betrayed by politicians too many times before.

But there was little doubt about the sincerity of President Clinton concluding remarks on the continent: "If we face the future together it will be a future that is better for Africa and better for America."

On a sunny Senegalese day, with the sun on my back, I believed Bill Clinton, and I think Africa did as well.

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