Calls for unity made at Africa Day event
The commemoration was in line with the African unity objectives to achieve greater unity, solidarity and an aim to ensure that all Africans enjoy their human rights, and to honour the heroes who died in the struggle to liberate their countries from colonial rule.
Freedom Park in partnership with Africa Silencing the Guns commemorated Africa Day (May 25) where hundreds of people gathered to close off Africa month activities.
This year’s theme was “Opportunities in challenging times”.
The commemoration was in line with the African unity objectives to achieve greater unity, solidarity and aim to ensure that all Africans enjoy their human rights, and to honour the heroes who died in the struggle to liberate their countries from colonial rule.
During the drumming interval session, delegates engaged in a conversation that focused on current challenges and opportunities.
Representatives from African embassies also attended the session.
The event culminated in a round table discussion facilitated by the GCIS under the theme “Borderless Africa” in which the deputy minister in the presidency, Nomasonto Motaung delivered a keynote address.
Motaung said Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the success of the organisation of African unity from its creation on May 25, 1963 in the fight against colonialism and apartheid.
She added that Africans need to fight for the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent faces in a global environment.
“Today we need to double our efforts to make communicator’s voices heard on how we can use the science of communication to contribute to the advancement of our country and the continent,” she said.
Africa Communications week founder, Enoila Harrison, said it was founded to bring together communication professionals who are passionate about the transformation of the continent to convene them to engage, share, and exchange tools to balance the narratives of the continent.
“We are in Freedom Park today which is a place of history about the continent and these industries serve as a powerful channel for self-expression, identity formation and for the preservation of our rich cultural heritage across the continent,” she said.
Chief Director of the GCIS media, William Baloyi also spoke at the event and said Africans should unite and generate ideas that will help benefit the continent.
“We also should be able to tell our own story as Africans, and through communication, we can influence our own narrative and not let other people tell our own stories,” he said.
Arts and craft stalls from various representatives of African countries showcased their merchandise.
The event ended with a fashion show directed by Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, and music, and dances by students from the Tshwane University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand and University of Pretoria.
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