Why is Africa Day worth celebrating?
Updated | By ECR Newswatch
Although not an official public holiday in the Republic, Africa Day is commemorated annually to acknowledge solidarity, heritage, culture and mostly the progress made in liberation movements across the continent. It's celebrated in parts of the continent and by Africans across the world.
Africa Day was formally declared upon the formation of the Organisation of African Unity ( today known as the African Union) on this day in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventeen countries marked the day between 1958 and 1963 after gaining independence. South Africa joined the Union on 23 May 1994 following its first democratic elections.
Africa Day is also about recognising progress and diversity in leadership. According to a 2016 study by McKinsey & Company, Africa is for the leadership of women. The global average of women in Parliament is 21% while in Africa, it's 24%. The study also shows that East Africa is the top performing region with 35% representation of women in Parliament. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was the first women elected to head the African Union in 2012. While two African countries – Mauritius and Liberia – are currently led by female presidents.
Despite challenges still facing the continent, these South Africans spoke to Newswatch about the state of the country and what it means to be African.
These Africans and organisations took to social media to remember the day. See those interactions below.
... Lets stand together. Happy African Day. #africaday #AfricanDay #AfricanLiberationDay pic.twitter.com/zI9mTqGDbh
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) May 25, 2017
Be Bold, be Proud, be Beautiful... That's what it means to be an African #AfricaDay2017 pic.twitter.com/8ig8YwPuf2
— Lerato Mbele (@BBCLerato) May 25, 2017
Happy #AfricaDay2017 pic.twitter.com/lO102akM2F
— Cécile Kyenge (@ckyenge) May 25, 2017
AUC efforts for a free, sovereign and independent Africa that offers its sons & daughters pride, dignity, happiness & prosperity #AfricaDay
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) May 25, 2017
#AfricaDay is an opportunity for us to celebrate the significant progress made by the Continent since the inception of the OAU 54 years ago.
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) May 25, 2017
Thursday's #AfricaDay highlights enormous potential & remarkable success stories throughout African continent https://t.co/79bSTjJBjT pic.twitter.com/2OgJxW8dwq
— United Nations (@UN) May 25, 2017
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