Africa day 2022
Mufaro Mushonga - Hove
In the words of the great Kwame Nkrumah, “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me!” Indeed, Africa was born inside us. We did not choose to be born African but Africa chose us!
The beautiful motherland! A land flowing with rich milk and honey of minerals and great agricultural exploits. A home to many. Today we celebrate you! From Cape, all the way to Cairo, the continent is bestowed with beauty that dazzles the eye! The blue meandering rivers that flow through the continent and the amazing sun that many western countries crave to have, all form part of this beauty.
In case you were wondering why Africa day is celebrated today, it is because of the very first Organisation of African Union Charter that was signed on the 25th of May 1963 by a number of African leaders.
A little background story: Ghana was the first African country to attain its independence against colonial rule in 1957. The other African countries marveled in admiration and a spirit of insurrection awoke among the African leaders. Thirty-two African countries came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 25th of May 1963 to sign the Organization of African Union Charter. The charter advocated for unity and cooperation of the African countries against colonialism. It also promoted and encouraged sovereignty of African states If Ghana was able to free herself from colonial shackles, the other countries believed they could also do it!As a result of the Organization of African Union Charter, many countries got the courage and the fire to fight and outst their oppressors.
Fifty-nine years later, Africa is independent and more countries have joined the good fight. From 32 nations initially, The Charter now has 55 member states affiliated to it. It is now known as the African Union and continues to be a support organization for African countries. Morocco is the most recent country to join the union as of 2017.This year’s Africa day is being commemorated and celebrated under the theme: The Year of Nutrition Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the AfricanProtection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development! It is a mouthful of words! Nevertheless, gallant sons and daughters of the soil, happy Africa day! May Africa continue to rise and flourish!
