AFRICA DAY 2020

25 May 2020

South Africa will mark Africa Month and Africa Day in May 2020, along with the rest of the continent.  The month is an opportunity to promote African unity, deeper regional integration and recommit Africa to a common destiny.

Planned activities over the month will culminate with Africa Day celebrations on 25 May 2019. The annual commemoration of Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

Today known as the Africa Union (AU), the organisation promotes greater unity and solidarity between African countries. The AU is at the forefront of peace, security and stability on the continent. The African Union theme of “Silencing the Guns by 2020”, is an apt reminder of the focus on peace, security and stability for the continent.

This year’s celebrations will happen virtually and online due to the massive impact of COVID-19 on the continent and the world.

KEY MESSAGES

African Nations must stand united to fight Coronavirus.

• As we commemorate Africa Day, we do so with the realisation that COVID-19 represents a threat to our very way of life.
• The coronavirus is a threat to all nations on the continent and we must stand united in fighting the virus, and ensuring the safety of all on the continent.
• The African Union has developed a comprehensive COVID-19 strategy, established an African Union COVID-19 Response Fund and strengthened the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
• The AU has raised a combined amount of US$ 61 million for the Response Fund and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 
• We call for developing countries to be assisted in their efforts to combat the pandemic, which includes debt relief, more Special Drawing Rights Allocations with the international financial institutions, and the provision of stimulus packages to vulnerable countries.

Unite for a better Africa.

• Africa Month, along with Africa Day brings us together with fellow African brothers and sisters from across the continent to forge greater unity.
• It helps us better understand each other as Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora.
• Africa Month is an opportunity for us to take hands with one another towards developing our continent.
• During this Month, we acknowledge our achievements, as we take stock of the progress made towards realising the ideals of the AU Agenda 2063 on uniting the African continent.
• During this month we must work towards strengthening Socio-Cultural Integration, Economic Integration and Political Integration.

Join the online programme to advance Africa.

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt throughout the continent and the world.
• It has required us all to adapt, but has also created new opportunities.
• Online activities such as virtual tours, or social media interactions allow Africa to showcase her talent to a worldwide audience.
• Key programmes planned for Africa Month, include:
  o   The SADC/Africa Design Initiative, will promote exports of SA Textile, and Design to support the regional drive for the design and manufacturing of fabric facial masks and blankets.
  o   It will be achieved by means of an online toolkit aimed at transferring skills from one country to another and displaying various ways of producing winter clothing and masks using African authentic fabrics.
  o   The Silencing the Guns live streaming concert will feature top African Musicians from five regions of the continent.
  o   The online colloquium: Silencing the Guns by 2020, will allow African and Diaspora think tanks to interrogate African challenges and causes of conflicts on the continent.
  o   On 23 May the Online Youth Inter-cultural and Economic Forum, will allow young people from across the continent to come together to interrogate the socio-economic challenges facing the continent.
  o   The 25 May Africa Day event will feature pre-recorded remarks and speeches by various dignitaries, along with a keynote address by the Chairperson of the African Union and President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.

When Africa prospers we all benefit.

• South Africans are encouraged to support Africa Month activities.  
• Our national interest is intrinsically linked to Africa’s stability, unity and prosperity.
• We must embrace and partner with our fellow Africans residing in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.
• A stable continent is the only way to ensure prosperity for our region and the rest of Africa.

Agenda 2063 needs your support.

• Agenda 2063 is Africa’s strategic roadmap to move us to a free, safe and fully developed continent.
• It is underpinned by the AU’s vision to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa that is a dynamic force in the international arena.
• Agenda 2063 reflects the aspirations of Africa as a continent with strong cultural identity, values, and ethics.
• In support of Agenda 2063 we can foster unity amongst all Africans across the continent.
• Future growth will be spurred by the continent’s commitment to Agenda 2063 to drive the social, economic and political rejuvenation of Africa.

We are committed to help build a better, more united and prosperous continent.

• We are dedicated to promoting the African Agenda and strengthen African Union institutions and policies.
• We are working towards strengthening cultural and creative industries, while helping to unlock their value-add in socio-economic development.
• We are committed to increasing appreciation and demand for arts and culture goods and services.
• During our term we will work on promoting business interactions, dialogues and foster entrepreneurship amongst Africans.
  

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