Today, we explore the remarkable story of Gasper Yanga, a slave leader from West Africa whose acts of resilience and heroism have earned him a place among the world’s legendary figures.

His struggle against imperialism and colonialism positions him in the annals of revolutionary history as the first liberator of the Americas.

Yanga’s unyielding pursuit of freedom not only distinguished him as a hero in Mexico but also as a symbol of liberation across Latin America, Africa, and the world.

In Mexico, he is celebrated as a national hero. In Latin America, he is revered as the first liberator of the Americas. In Africa, he is a symbol of the fight for liberation, and globally, he is remembered as a figurehead in the struggle for human freedom. Yanga’s tireless dedication to the cause of liberation remains an enduring example of courage and self-sacrifice.

The name Yanga, which is derived from the Yoruba language of West Africa, translates to “the pride of the nation“. It is a fitting description for such a colossal figure, whose actions freed many from the barbarism of slavery and helped usher in a new era of human civilisation.

Yanga, a descendant of a royal family from present-day Gabon, is credited with founding the first free settlement for enslaved people in the Americas.

His leadership and vision left an indelible mark on the history of African contributions to the liberation movements in the Americas.

The region known as New Spain (modern-day Mexico) was one of many territories where millions of African slaves were forcibly brought over four centuries.

The enslaved population endured unimaginable brutality and oppression, governed by harsh colonial laws. One such law decreed: “A negro or negro woman absent from the service of their master for four days shall suffer fifty lashes. Should they be absent for more than eight days, or venture further than a league, they shall receive one hundred lashes.

“Iron fetters weighing 12 pounds shall be tied to their feet, which they must carry for two months. Should they remove them, they shall receive 200 lashes for the first offence and, for the second offence, shall receive 200 lashes and carry the fetters for four months.”

Such brutal conditions spurred Yanga to lead a rebellion, helping thousands of slaves escape to the dense forests of Mexico, where they established a self-sufficient community atop the Pico de Orizaba mountains.

This maroon settlement thrived for over half a century, despite multiple Spanish attempts to conquer it. After many humiliating defeats, the colonial authorities finally conceded and negotiated peace with Yanga’s followers, recognising their autonomy in 1570.

The settlement of San Lorenzo de Los Negros became the first self-governing territory of freed slaves in the Americas and, following Mexico’s independence, was renamed Yanga in honour of the liberator.

The city of Yanga is now a designated heritage site, recognised by the Mexican government and UNESCO as part of the World Slave Route Project. A towering statue of Yanga, wielding a machete, stands as a symbol of freedom from slavery.

Yanga Day is celebrated annually, a reminder of his leadership in the fight against colonial oppression.

In his article, Yanga: The Forgotten Rebellion Against Colonial Rule in Mexico, renowned Mexican sociologist and diplomat Andries Medellin recounts Yanga's extraordinary feats of resistance and bravery.

He writes: “This glorious chapter in the history of man’s emancipation shows us that the will to be free is stronger than the fire and chains of slavery. Defying oppression does not depend on skin colour, for human dignity knows no obstacles when people organise and break their chains, rendering themselves invincible.”

The phenomenon of the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned centuries and empires, played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world. Karl Marx, in his seminal work, Poverty of Philosophy, noted: “Direct slavery is just as much the pivot of bourgeois industry as machinery or credit. Without slavery, there is no cotton; without cotton, there is no modern industry. Slavery gave colonies their value, which created world trade, the precondition for large-scale industry. Slavery is thus an economic category of the greatest importance.”

Marx further elaborated on this theme in his economic manuscripts, noting that on American plantations, slavery was a means of producing surplus value for capitalist profit.

The system of slavery was, in many ways, a precursor to the capitalist modes of production that followed, especially in the “second colonies” of sugar, coffee, and rice plantations in the Americas.

The history of the slave economy is the material foundation upon which modern human civilisation was built. As we reflect on the past, we must understand the complex relationships between slave labour, wage labour, and the capitalist system of private accumulation. The Industrial Revolution, often celebrated for its innovations, was in no small part made possible by the labour of enslaved people.

For our generation to comprehend the present and shape the future, we must learn from the lessons of history – how the modern world was built on the blood and sweat of working people, and how the fight for justice and equality continues.

The story of Yanga and countless others who resisted oppression is a testament to the enduring struggle for a better world.

The dichotomy between the wealth of the Global North and the suffering of the Global South is a direct consequence of this history. The migration of people from former colonies in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America to the metropolises of Europe and North America is a reflection of centuries of exploitation.

The reality is that the global economy was built on the backs of enslaved people and the working class. This history, often hidden or distorted, is one that must be understood if we are to address the injustices of today. As the saying goes, history is written by the victors. The true story of humanity’s struggle for freedom is often buried, but it is one that must be told.

Slavery was one of the most destructive forces in human history. Its legacy, like that of capitalism, continues to shape the world we live in today.

However, we can find inspiration in the stories of those who resisted. Their courage, endurance, and commitment to the cause of freedom remain a beacon of hope for all who continue the fight for justice.

Ambassador Phatse Justice Pitso is a member of the ANC, writing in his personal capacity.

#west-africa

South Africa reaffirms readiness for mpox as Sierra Leone battles fresh outbreak with two confirmed cases

Gasper Yanga: from enslaved person to national hero in Mexico

Calls for sovereignty fuel unrest in West Africa

On this day in history, July 4