"If we're not careful we might be remembered as a country that arrived too late." What is the figurative meaning?

History is a major theme in My Children! My Africa!. In this quote, Thami laments that black children are not taught the history of their people, but rather of the people who have colonized their land and subjugated them. Likewise, in this quote Mr. M worries to the audience about the history being made during his lifetime. It is not exactly clear what he means by saying "everybody arrived too late"(p.35) since he is not an advocate for an immediate, violent uprising as is Thami, but it can be understood that Mr. M sees an extreme need for change.