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Africa Day Celebrations 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 Africa's 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 'youth in sport', 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
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