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AFRICA MONTH CELEBRATION
Since 2015 South Africa has hosted Africa Month
celebrations in May. This year South Africa will
once again host it under the theme: ¡§A year
of Nelson Mandela -
Building a Better Africa and a Better World¡¨.
South African Mission in Taipei will be
celebrating Africa Day at Mayfull Hotel Taipei
on the 25th of May in form of a
reception from 18h30 to 21h00.
This year Africa Month celebrations coincide
with the centenary of the birth of our first
democratically elected President, Nelson
Mandela. The Mission therefore wishes all
Africans and friends of Africa a happy Africa
Day, a happy Africa Month and a happy Nelson
Mandela Centenary Year. As we continue to
celebrate the life and legacy of Madiba, we
must do so by continuing to work to build
greater social cohesion and nation building and
continental integration for a better Africa and
a better world.
The month is an opportunity to
promote African unity, ensure deeper regional
integration and recommit Africa to a common
destiny.
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.
¡P
South Africa plays an
active role in the organisation as an integral
part of the African continent which is the
Cradle of humankind.
¡P
The country¡¦s national
interest is intrinsically linked to continental
stability, unity and prosperity of Africa.
Together we can build an integrated, prosperous
and peaceful Africa.
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Africa Month brings us together with fellow
brothers and sisters from across the continent
to forge greater unity.
¡P
It helps us better
understand each other as Africans both on the
continent and in the diaspora.
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Africa Month is an opportunity for us to join
hands with one another towards developing our
continent.
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It is time to unite as
one Africa and build a better continent and a
better, safer and a prosperous world for all.
Let¡¦s join the Africa Month celebrations.
¡P
In South Africa, a number
of events will also be held to commemorate
Africa Month. These include:
o
The SADC Ministerial Round Table Discussion on
the Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route.
o
The Africa Unity Conference and Africa Day Expo.
o
A Symposium on Trade and Investment in Africa,
focusing on strengthening intra-Africa trade.
o
The Department of Basic Education will also host
a SADC initiative where schools across SADC will
debate on the topic ¡§Harnessing Energy for
Sustainable Development¡¨.
o
There will also be a public lecture on Youth
Empowerment by the Department of Public Service
and Administration.
¡P
We invite all those
living in South Africa to join in the
celebrations.
This is our continent; let us celebrate the
unique flavour of Africa.
When
Africa prospers we all benefit.
¡P
Regional integration will help the continent to
overcome economic developmental challenges and
achieve sustainable growth.
¡P
Through our integration we will enable the free
movement of goods, services, people and capital
between national markets.
¡P
Through regional integration, Africa can realise
its growth potential, participate effectively in
the global economy and share the benefits of
globalisation.
¡P
South Africa supports the
Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) that
brings together 54 African countries with a
combined gross domestic product of more than
$3.4 trillion.
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The CFTA will create a single continental market
for goods and services, with free movement of
business persons and investments.
Agenda 2063 is the continental blueprint for an
integrated and prosperous Africa.
Africa month responds to the aspirations of
Agenda 2063, which envisages an Africa with
strong cultural identity, values, and ethics.
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Together we can foster unity amongst all
Africans across the continent in support of
Agenda 2063.
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Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework and roadmap
to achieve continental development goals.
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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.
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Agenda 2063 is Africa¡¦s strategic roadmap to
move us to a free, safe and fully developed
continent.
Future
growth will be spurred by the continent¡¦s
commitment to
Agenda 2063 to drive the social, economic and
political rejuvenation of Africa.
Peace is central to a prosperous Africa.
¡P
South Africa¡¦s foreign policy is based on the
fact that we cannot achieve a sustainable,
developed and economically integrated Africa
without peace and security.
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South Africa condemns all forms of terrorism and
will support all regional and international
efforts to address this scourge.
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We are proud of the role we play through SADC
and the AU to ensure peace and stability on the
continent.
Once the African Standby Force becomes
operational it will provide the AU with a
multi-disciplinary, continental peacekeeping
force which can be swiftly deployed to build
peace and stability for a more safer and
prosperous Africa.
Africa is the world's
second largest and second most-populous
continent (the first being Asia in both
categories).Africa hosts a large diversity of
ethnicities, cultures and languages. African
nations cooperate through the establishment of
the African Union, which is headquartered in
Addis Ababa.'
'The culture of Africa is
varied and manifold, consisting of a mixture of
countries with various tribes that each have
their own unique characteristics from the
continent of Africa. It is a product of the
diverse populations that today inhabit the
continent of Africa and the African Diaspora.
African culture is expressed in its arts and
crafts, folklore and religion, clothing,
cuisine, music and languages. Expressions of
culture are abundant within Africa, with large
amounts of cultural diversity. The economy of
Africa consists of the trade, industry,
agriculture, and human resources of the
continent.'
Africa is a resource-rich
Continent, and most economies in Africa are
still growing.
Africa's cultures,
religions, arts, foods and rich communal living
style are very unique to us. The natural warmth
and serenity in our forest reserves are the
hallmarks of our continent. Greenery surrounds
us naturally, fresh vegetables are served on our
tables, grandparents guide and teach our values
and history to young ones. These experiences are
the soul with which every child is born in
Africa. No matter where we go, Africa will still
be home. Home is where that African 'soul' is
served with every tale, every dish, every walk
because Africa is the cradle of mankind and home
of humanity.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the life and
legacy of Madiba.
¡P
The 100 year anniversary of the life of former
President Nelson Mandela is an opportunity to
recommit ourselves to living the legacy of
Madiba.
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Throughout his life Madiba inspired people, and
his legacy continues to guide us on our path to
move our country forward.
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The centenary celebration reminds us of his
unwavering commitment to justice, equality and a
non-racial South Africa.
We must continue to strive for a better nation
built on our values of democracy, freedom,
equality and the hope for a better future for
all members of the human race.
Let us all continue to strive for a better South
Africa, a better Africa and a better world.
¡@
Nkosi sikilel iAfrika
God
bless Africa
¤Ñ¦ö«D¬w
¡@
Mr RS
Matsebe
Representative: Liaison Office of South Africa
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