Picture: Africa Day celebration/Generic
By STAFF REPORTER
25 May 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) has joined the continent, her people and the African Union (AU) on Africa Day on the 63rd Anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union. The ANC said under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”, this day promotes and focuses on driving investment in water infrastructure, improving sanitation and supporting climate resilience for economic development, which are a priority for the ANC and the country, Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said the theme enjoins the continent to address water and sanitation challenges, improving the lives of the people by strengthening political leadership to secure water resources as a driver of health, agriculture, industrialisation, climate resilience and to ensure equitable access to clean water across the continent. Bhengu said the theme responds to this urgent challenge by placing water and sanitation at the centre of Africa’s development and climate agenda.
“This theme presents a significant opportunity to drive transformative, climate-resilient, and people-centred investments in water and sanitation. It reinforces Africa’s commitment to sustainable development, equity and resilience, ensuring that no one is left behind on the pathway to Agenda 2063.
“As a country, we have made significant strides to address this to improve the lives of people in the areas of water and sanitation, the notable example being our partnership with the Kingdom of Lesotho in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a shared benefit for the two countries united in the common vision of water as a human right,” she said.
Bhengu further said the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) forms part of the initiative, which included improving financial sustainability to unlock R108 billion in investment, the passing of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency Act and the clearing of the backlog of water-use license applications. She added that the ANC will work with its fraternal organisations and, through the government, address the persistent challenges facing the continent.
“This includes illegal immigration which impacts on the country’s resources amidst the accusations of xenophobia which we reject as an organisation. We call for the leadership and unity of the continent to work together to explore lasting solutions to the challenges facing the continent, including wars, malnutrition, coups, climate change, and poverty, amongst others.
“The African Union Agenda 2063 is on full course as demonstrated by the sustainable development goals of addressing the water and sanitation challenges, which is a central theme of Africa Day 2026, tackling poverty, investing in the African Development Bank, bilateral relationships, trade cooperation and accelerated economic development through the African Continental Free Trade Area, new trade ventures, solidarity, peace and friendship,” said Bhengu.
She said for South Africa, Africa Day carries deeper and more significant meaning and is instrumental in reshaping the global agenda, its peace missions across the world, institutional reforms, and regional integration. Bhengu said continentally, it is a day of pride and celebration as Africa reasserts its place in the global space, redefining its role in an ever-changing climate from imperialism and protectionism to a new global order of partnerships, collaboration and inclusive multilateralism for reciprocal growth and mutual benefit.
The Guardian 