Africa Day is an annual celebration that is celebrated to mark the foundation of the Organization of African Unity. Africa Day is commemorated every year on May 25. It was formerly known as African Liberation Day and African Freedom Day.
Africa Day is commemorated in numerous countries located inside the territories of the African continent and as well as around the globe.
On July 9, 2002, the Organization of African Unity was replaced by the African Union. However, the date of holiday remained unchanged, on May 25.
History
On May 25, 1963, the representatives of the thirty African nations gathered at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Emperor Haile Selassie hosted the event. At this time, the majority of the countries on the continent were independent of the imperial European states.
The establishment of the Organisation of African Unity was the conclusion of the meeting. The final aim was to motivate the decolonization of Southern Rhodesia, South Africa, Mozambique and Angola.
A charter was also sought after with the aim of improving the living standards of the people across the member states. The host of the event said,”May this union convention last 1,000 years.”
All the thirty attendees signed the charter except Morocco, on May 26. Thus, Africa Liberation Day replaced Africa Freedom Day and later again was replaced by Africa Day.
Theme 2024
The theme for 2024’s Africa Day celebration is, “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom: Building a Better Africa and a Better World.”
Celebration
Africa Day is commemorated worldwide and in entire Africa. It is celebrated mostly on May 25. In some of the African nations, Africa Day is celebrated for days or weeks together. A particular theme is also decided to mark the celebration of Africa Day every year.
Africans mark this day by honoring their country and the people who are responsible for Africa’s independence.
In 2015, Jan Eliasson, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a New York City event delivered a message from Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General, stating, “Let us… intensify our efforts to provide Africa’s women with better access to education, work and healthcare and, by doing so, accelerate Africa’s transformation”
Explore inspiring Africa Day 2024 quotes, messages, images, slogans, and more to celebrate this significant day on Instagram.
Best Africa Day 2024 Quotes, Messages, Images, Wishes, Slogans
“I am an African. I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers, the seas and the ever- changing seasons that define the face of our native land”. – Thabo Mbeki, “I Am an African” speech delivered on 8 May 1996.
“We know that Africa is neither French, nor British, nor American, nor Russian, that it is African. We know the objects of the West. Yesterday they divided us on the level of a tribe, clan and village… They want to create antagonistic blocs, satellites…” – Patrice Émery Lumumba, speech at the All-African Conference in Leopoldville, August 25, 1960.
“These divisions, which the colonial powers have always exploited the better to dominate us, have played an important role – and are still playing that role – in the suicide of Africa”. – Patrice Lumumba, African Unity and National Independence speech, March, 1959.
“Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children…” – Amilcar Cabral, Revolution in Guinea, written 1965.
Sayings, Cliparts, and Instagram Captions
“Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our story”. President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, 2013.
“We must unite now or perish… Werecognizeognise that our economic independence resides in our African union and requires the same concentration upon the political achievement.” – First President and Prime Minister of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah in his address at the founding of the OAU, Addis Ababa, 1963.
“Unite we must. Without necessarily sacrificing our sovereignties, we can forge a political union based on defence, foreign affairs and diplomacy, and a common citizenship, an African currency, a monetary zone and a central bank. We must unite in order to achieve the full liberation of our continent.” – Kwame Nkrumah.
“Yet all stock exchanges in the world are pre-occupied with Africa’s gold, diamonds, uranium, platinum, copper and iron ore. We have been too busy nursing our separate states to understand fully the basic need of our union, rooted in common purpose, common planning and common endeavour”. – Kwame Nkrumah.
“We spoke and acted as if, given the opportunity for self-government, we would quickly create utopias. Instead injustice, even tyranny, is rampant”. – Julius ‘Mwalimu’ Nyerere, first President of Tanzania, as quoted in David Lamb’s The Africans, New York, 1985.
“The evolution of humanity says that Africa reaffirms that she is continuing her rise from the ashes. Whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop us now! Whatever the difficulties, Africa shall be at peace!” Thabo Mbeki former President of South Africa, “I Am an African” speech delivered on 8 May 1996.
