DEDICATION OF PRINCE MAKONNEN HOSPITAL
It was Our preoccupation that Our son,
Prince Makonnen, after he had reached his maturity, would have lived to
dedicate his life to the service of Our people.
The Ethiopian people will pursue the
responsibility of seeing this project completed.
It is a truism that man is mortal, but his
achievements during his brief sojourn are vital both for the history he leaves
behind him and the benefits derived therefrom by posterity.
This is illustrated by the fact that we
are able to meet the demands of our time primarily because our ancestors,
besides transmitting to us the benefits of tradition, had shed their blood to
safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of our nation.
In this era modern methods, thoughts and
ideas have superseded the old ways; but because of our tradition we have been
able to move with the rhythm of the times and still maintain our sense of
proportion. Although much has been devoted to attain the harmonious welding of
the old and the new in a manner acceptable to all – the old, the young and
future generations – much still remains to be accomplished. Who would not be
pleased to see his baby born as a five or ten years old youngster? But this is
contrary to nature’s plan.
That the results of our consuming efforts for the prosperity of Ethiopia
and the improvement of the standard of Our people should be five or ten times
greater would afford Us the greatest satisfaction. Since, however, progress
must proceed by stages, it is with a great degree of gratification that We
witness the standard of growth and development made by Our people.
It is a mark of pride that we can recall today some of the many
sacrifices made in the interest and general welfare of Our people. Hence, when they
decided to dedicate a monument in Our honour as a gesture of their love for Us
We proposed instead the establishment of a University, and, subsequently, laid
the cornerstone for that institution on this site.
Monument To
Posterity
We later bestowed for the youth of Ethiopia the property inherited from
Our father for that project, so that, in conjunction with the contribution made
by Our people this will facilitate the establishment of the University which
will live for posterity as a monument both in Our name and in theirs.
It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had
reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of
Our people. But since God’s reasoning differs from that of man, he died
prematurely. Not content to share, as they have done so equally, in Our’s and
his Mother’s grief, the people of their own free will have donated money for
the erection of a Memorial Hospital in the Duke’s honour.
As Kantiba Zewde Gabre Hiwot has explained, a substantial part of the
contributions has come equally from foreign friends of Ethiopia, a fact that
illustrates the love that the Ethiopian people has won abroad.
Man, during his
lifetime, is usually absorbed with the problems of his existence, in which both
the material and spiritual phases complement each other. We have extended much
effort in building the moral strength of our people which, with God’s help is
succeeding.
Even though We dedicate this hospital to
Prince Makonnen, it is the people of Ethiopia that will benefit from its
services – those who have contributed and those who have not. We cherish the
hope that whether We are present or not the Ethiopian people will pursue the
responsibility of seeing this project completed.
We thank the Board for what you have done.
Continue your effort with the same earnestness. It is only with God’s will that
man can reach his ends. May He continue to bestow His assistance for the
accomplishment of this Memorial Hospital.
We express Our gratitude to Our entire
people and to those foreign friends who have contributed so generously to this
welfare fund.
Nov. 8, 1961
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 545 -
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| Foreground, left to right, Princess Tsehai, Prince Makonnen Duke of Harrar, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen, in London during their exile. Behind the Emperor's left shoulder is Dr. Workineh Eshete (A.K.A. Charles Martin) Ethiopian Minister to the Court of St. James. |
"In this era modern methods, thoughts and ideas have superseded the old ways; but because of our tradition we have been able to move with the rhythm of the times and still maintain our sense of proportion."
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