North West MEC of Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) department, Ontlametse Mochware said African Day need to be celebrated across all spheres of the continent. Mochware said this will encourage many people to love and preserve Africanism without any fear.
She was addressing community members at Sekhing village, near Taung on Friday during African Day celebration.
Different countries were well-represented and showcased their cultural attires.
“It is imperative to celebrate this day because it means a lot to us. The day reflects on what it means to be an African. We need to appreciate and embrace our socio-economic challenges and ensure that we have better ways to address them.
“We need to know that we are different either according to our culture, heritage or economy. However, we need to face our challenges head-on. The current leadership and the communities across African continent must work together to ensure that there is economic growth,” she said.
Mochware further said her department will work together with North West University to ensure that more students study Indigenous Knowledge System course. According to the university, only fewer students embark on Indigenous Knowledge System faulty and this brings concern.
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa also joined the African continent and the world in wishing Africa a speedy rise to prosperity and meaningful development of its entire people.
In a joint statement to mark Africa Day, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson, Thandi Modise said.
“The time for Africa’s awakening as a giant in the world in many respects has come and no effort should be spared in driving the collective advancement of the people of Africa. Africa Day is observed across the continent to celebrate the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, later remodelled and renamed the African Union, to drive an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa with all its peoples at the centre of such fundamental change.
“The collaboration of liberated African countries and the liberation movements in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid took 31 years to free all African countries. Africa Day is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our majestic past, our common heritage and the values of Ubuntu, which include common humanity, mutual respect, caring and protection, which lie at the heart of this heritage. Advancing these ideals involves resisting those practices that undermine the values of our common humanity and result in destabilisation and impoverishment of our continent.”
The Guardian 