MORE than a hundred people united to celebrate Africa Day at the Durban Beachfront Promenade, Bay of Plenty Lawns, earlier today. The event, hosted by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), was held to celebrate the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) under the theme, arts, culture and heritage.
Africa Day is an annual event which calls on residents to stand in solidarity with people facing environmental injustice, xenophobia and gender inequality.
Speaking about the event, SDCEA co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa said, the event is about uniting people on the continent.
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“This is a day when we kick out racism and xenophobia and unite for peace and love, to ensure that our continent is left in a better space. We need to work together because without unity Africa would be a continent that would be divided,” said D’Sa.
According to D’Sa expats from Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have lived in South Africa for more than 25 years.
“These are people who are still not recognised by the South African government. Our government should recognise the people of Africa first and not divide them and push them aside. We must remember that during the anti-apartheid struggle, the country and its people of Africa stood as one with South Africa. That’s what we are celebrating today,” added D’Sa.
When asked how climate change contributes to xenophobia and gender inequality, he said, “People are leaving their countries because there is no water or food, the area is dry or in some cases there are huge floods. People are coming to South Africa looking for jobs to put food on the table, and that’s what causing people to leave their country.”
These issues were highlighted by SDCEA through dramatic arts, dances and songs at the event.
On 25 May 1963, Africa made history with the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) the precursor to the African Union (AU).
Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation on May 25, 1963, in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, as well as the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent faces in a global environment.
The annual commemoration of Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
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