“To draw the most from our existing and potential means for the achievement of abundance and a fine social order, we need to unify our efforts, our resources, our skills and intentions,” Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu quoted these words from former Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah when she was speaking at the Africa Day celebration on Sunday.
The minister was encouraging Africans who gathered at the Walter Sisulu Square to come together and unite in making Africa a caring continent.
She urged everyone to fight xenophobia and share the natural resources that the continent has to offer. Zulu said these words were written in 1963 but they are still relevant even today.
The minister was delivering a keynote address on behalf of Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa who could not make it to the event.
The minister urged Africans to come together and embrace their Africanness and cultures. The event was organised by the African Cultural Music and Dance Association (ACUMDA) backed by the Department of Art and Culture.
It was called Gcwala Ngamasiko Cultural Festival. The theme of the day was, “Africa united in diversity to build a caring and better continent.”
People from Soweto and other parts of the country and the continent enjoyed music and dance while being educated about the cultural diversity that the continent has to offer.
ACUMDA Managing Director Vusi Thusi said: “This should not be a one day thing but it should happen throughout the year.”
Thusi challenged the government to continue supporting more initiatives like the Gcwala Ngamasiko Cultural Festival so that the gospel of unity can be preached across the African continent.
