He firmly placed Tanzania at the heart of the Southern Africa liberation struggle which culminated in the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa. During his retirement he championed the cause of the Southern countries and influenced the transformation of Tanzania from a one-party state to multi-party politics.
Katika historia yetu ya mapambano ya ukombozi tuna mifano mingi ya wanazuoni waliojitolea mhanga kwa sababu ya msimamo wao kuwa upande wa umma. Patrice Lumumba alitaka nchi yake iwe na uhuru kamili ili iweze kutumia utajiri wake kwa manufaa ya, siyo Wakongomani tu, bali kwa manufaa ya watu wa Afrika kwa sababu Lumumba alikuwa muumini wa Umajumui wa Afrika (Pan-Africanism).