The Department of International Relations and Cooperation celebrates Africa Day 2011

Pretoria - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation celebrates 2011 Africa Day, under the theme Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.  Africa Day is annually commemorated on May 25, as on this day in the year 1963 the Organisation of African Unity (which has evolved into the African Union) was founded. The Republic of South Africa places high regard for this celebration as it marks an important sign of unity amongst the people of our continent and reaffirms our resolve to reconfigure our world along the values of human dignity, equality, and justice for all. 

In addition, the government and people of the Republic of South Africa acknowledge that the future of our continent is closely linked to our own future - as aligned in our foreign policy objective of establishing a better Africa in a better world.  In this pursuit, the Republic of South Africa continues to support regional and continental processes to respond to and resolve conflicts, strengthen regional integration, companions for an increase in intra-African trade and sustainable development of our continent. At the same time, South Africa continues to advance common African positions through its structured bilateral activities and other international fora.

In celebration of Africa Day 2011, the DIRCO has arranged a series of seminars at head office, OR Tambo Building, to commemorate this day of unity. These seminars, which commenced on Monday, 23 May 2011 and will end on Friday, 26 May 2011, are being held to raise awareness and unpack the concepts of an African identity and culture, the economic emergence of Africa, as well as the empowerment of our young African Diplomats. DIRCO’s trainees, academics, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other invited guests have been engaging in constructive exchange of ideas and were also treated to samples of African art, music and poetry. The Republic of South Africa’s diplomatic missions, throughout the world, are scheduled to celebrate this day in their respective countries of accreditation. The DIRCO will host the Diplomatic Corps accredited to South Africa in Johannesburg, Gauteng later this week.

For further information please contact Mr. Clayson Monyela spokesperson for DIRCO on 082 884 5974

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation 

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria 

24 May 2011