25 May 2006
On 25 May 2006, the Free State Province will join the rest of the African
continent in celebrating Africa Day. It is a day in which African people
observe and salute the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the
predecessor to the African Union, and pay tribute to 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.
Forty-three years ago, leaders of the African Continent decided to establish
the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Driven by a common aspiration towards
decolonisation, liberation, equality, justice and progress, an inter-African
organization of independent states was founded. In the past, the focus of the
OAU was on decolonisation and liberation. Since 1994, after South Africa had
finally joined the OAU, the Organisationâs objectives have shifted to the
pursuit of peace, democracy and economic development in Africa.
Africa Day exemplifies the achievements made by the various leaders on the
continent with regard to the founding of the African Union (AU), in
establishing (New Partnership for Africa's Development) NEPAD and other
continental developments including Pan African Parliament (PAP), African Peer
Review Mechanism (APRM), and Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia meant to address the socio-economic and political challenges and
ensure that indeed the 21st Century becomes a truly African Century.
This is the day to celebrate being African and living during the era of the
African Century. The celebrations will be held in a festive mood with African
music, poetry, food, drama and speeches.
Details of the celebration are follows:
Date: 25 May 2006
Time: 09h00
Venue: City Hall, Bloemfontein
You are all encouraged to celebrate Africa Day!
Issued by: Free State Provincial Government
25 May 2006
Source: Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fs.gov.za)
