24 May 2004
Africa will celebrate Africa Day. It is a day in which we observe the
creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and pay tribute to the
Heads of State, who through a common vision of unity, decided to seek a joint
African solution to the dichotomy facing Africa in the 1960s.
Africa Day
Forty-one years ago, leaders of the African Continent decided to establish
the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Driven by a common aspiration towards
de-colonisation, liberation, equality, justice and progress, an inter-African
organisation of independent states was founded.
Africa Day exemplifies the achievements made by the various leaders on the
continent with regard to the founding of the new African Union (AU), in
establishing New Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD) and other
continental developments, to address the challenges and ensure that the 21st
Century truly becomes an African Century.
By 2004, Africa has overcome many obstacles and has begun building an Africa
that belongs to all Africans, through partnership between governments and civil
society, in particular women and youth in strengthening solidarity among
Africans. That is why it is particularly significant that the theme for this
year's Africa Day is âyouth in sportâ, honouring youth throughout Africa for
the role they have played in Africa's development.
Our youth have played an influential and invaluable role in the liberation
of the continent, in promoting a social and cultural identity that is unique to
the rest of the world. By their participation in sport, youth are able to
enhance the quality of life of all Africans. Therefore the commemoration of
Africa Day highlights South Africa's contributing role and participation in the
continent's agenda: from the birth of the AU, NEPAD, African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM), Pan African Parliament (PAP), and now the launch of the Peace
and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 25 May. Further, it instils a
sense of responsibility to all, especially the youth, in improving the quality
of life of all people, affected in the critical areas of social existence,
including health, safety and security, moral regeneration, social cohesion,
culture and education, and more especially sport and recreation.
It is the youth that will play the most important role in hosting the 2010
Soccer World Cup when it comes to African soil. It is an African dream that our
youth will proudly win the 2010 Soccer Cup. Africa therefore needs to honour
and appreciate the value of our youth on the continent.
The desired commitment at the launch of the OAU is similar to the values
embedded in our 10 years of freedom, not only to see progress made but to
entrench a principle of ownership and sense of worth in our youth. These values
instilled in our unity and diversity, independence and freedom, prosperity and
nation-building will guide Africa's future.
Africa today is inspired by the principles of the Charter of the OAU, which
is committed to peaceful settlement of disputes, economic and social
development, respect for human rights, the protection of all Africans and to
fight all oppression.
Let us stand together and celebrate our Africanism on 25 May and honour our
youth in sport.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 May 2004
