President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the Africa Day celebrations to be held on Thursday at the Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp, a national heritage site west of Johannesburg.
Africa Day is celebrated throughout the continent and parts of the world on May 25 in commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity – now known as the African Union – in 1963.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) said this year’s celebrations will be held under the theme “Deepening the AU Vision for Unity for Africa through Prosperity, Peace and Modernity for a Better Africa and a Better World”.
“The Africa Day celebration seeks to promote the African Agenda and strengthen the African Union institutions and policies; implement and bring to life the AU Agenda 2063 and the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance; further promote regional integration by strengthening people-to-people contact and harmonise policies and share skills and expertise; as well as to promote Cultural Diplomacy for a broader socioeconomic agenda,” said the department.
It added that prior to the formal Africa Day programme, the day will commence at 7am with a carnival and colourful parade dance troops from across various African countries, showcasing Africa’s creativeness through floats, large 3D costumes, acrobats, and an eclectic mix of melodies.
Speaking to the media on Monday, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Africa Day bears substantial meaning for president Ramaphosa.
“Africa Day is a day that focuses our consciousness on the development of our continent, regional integration, the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, and the human, cultural and natural treasures of Africa,” said Magwenya.
Magwenya added that for the president, the day will have personal significance as it will mark four years since his inauguration as the 5th democratically elected president of a free and democratic South Africa.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
