The continent will commemorate Africa Day on 25 May, the date on which the Organisation of African Unity was founded in 1963. Africa Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the positive attributes of government and the people of South Africa.

This year's celebration will have the slogan, ‘2015 and Beyond: Engaging Agenda 2063’. Agenda 2063 is a plan to address Africa’s progress towards achieving:

• a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development,
• an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of pan- Africanism,
• good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law,
• an Africa that is peaceful and secure,
• a continent with a strong cultural identity, values and ethics,
• a continent where development is driven by people, in particular women and youth, and
• an Africa that is a strong, influential global player and partner.

As we celebrate Africa Day, we equally celebrate our partnership with government to enhance our cooperation at various levels in pursuit of sustainable progress for all. Let us work together to unlock the potential of the continent to become the utopia that we know it can be.

Prof CM de la Rey
Vice-Chancellor and Principal