Africa Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the history of our continent, our heritage and culture. Around the globe energetic art festivals are being hosted, which showcase African arts and crafts, music and dancing, literature and, of course, delicious African cuisine, illuminating the rich tradition of Mother Africa.

The day also serves as a platform used by the African Union Commission to highlight pertinent issues, which impact on the lives of ordinary Africans who are afflicted, on a daily basis by the harsh realities of life on the continent. This is evident in the annual themes under which Africa Day is celebrated by the AUC. The theme always bears relevance to the development of Africa. The African Union has declared that the theme for Africa Day 2009 is “Celebrating Africa through education and culture”.

In recent years, the AU has embarked on numerous initiatives focused on protecting and conserving the African environment, considering the importance of environment, agriculture and water as important drivers in Africa’s economic development.

Quoting the Newtown Management District in conclusion:
“Africa Day exemplifies the achievements made by various leaders on the continent with regard to the founding of the AU, in establishing the new Partnership for African Development and other continental developments, to address the challenges and ensure that the twenty first century truly becomes the “African Century”.

Links

http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2009/09052016351001.htm

http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/index/index.htm

/unitedstatesafrica.com/