President Jacob Zuma is to host the 2016 Africa Day celebration on 25 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, which is the culmination of the celebration of Africa month in May.
Africa Day is celebrated annually on 25 May within the African continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963 and the African Union in 2002 and the progress made by the continent since then to advance democracy, peace, stability and socio-economic development.
South Africa rejoined the continent and the international community in 1994 following the dawn of freedom and democracy. Africa Day 2016 will therefore mark the celebration of 22 years since the country’s reintegration into the OAU/AU and the international community.
“Africa Day provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our African identity. Our country was isolated for decades from the rest of the continent due to the evil system of apartheid colonialism. We are now a full member of the African continent, and since 1994, our continent is correctly the primary focus of our foreign policy,” said President Zuma.
The President recalled that the OAU contributed immensely to our freedom in South Africa.
“Many countries in the continent provided refuge to many South Africans who went into exile and provided material, social, political and military support. Africa Day thus provides an opportunity to celebrate that African solidarity and to continue expressing it through the ongoing support for many in the continent who are caught up in conflict. It is a day for us to celebrate African solidarity, friendship, a common humanity and destiny,” said the President.
Held this year under the theme: “Building a better Africa and a Better World” South Africa will also use the day to reaffirm support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and commit the country to playing its role within the AU to ensure the successful implementation of the vision and plan to build a better Africa.
South Africa contributes to peacekeeping and post-war reconstruction and development efforts in the continent. South Africa also plays a key role in the economic development of the continent through the growing private sector investment in many countries within the continent.
The Africa Day celebratory gala dinner will be attended by ambassadors and high commissioners from Africa and abroad, business leaders as well as Ministers and other key stakeholders.
Enquiries:
Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
Email: bongani@presidency.gov.za
