Africa Rising Despite Challenges

A statue of Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The statue is surrounded by Ghanain leaders including Samia Nkrumah., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

May 23 2013 12:33PM

Africa rising despite challenges

Gift Ngobeni
New Age, South Africa

As the continent celebrates 50 years of the existence and achievements of the Organisation of the African Unity, Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)’s interim CEO, Prof Phindile Lukhele-Olorunju says African leaders haven’t turned a blind eye on the challenges facing the continent.

Lukhele-Olorunju said since its formation back in 1963, the OAU has achieved a lot; she cited the victory against colonisation as an example.

“We are very happy that the OAU was formed, the fight against colonisation of African countries was won with the help of the organisation”.

“During the 20th century national liberation movements took on a mass character and in effect accelerated the pace of independence from colonialism,” according to Pan-African News Wire.

Kwame Nkrumah, the founding prime minister and president of the West African nation of Ghana wrote in a pamphlet issued in 1968 entitled "The Spectre of Black Power" that: "Pan-Africanism has its beginnings in the liberation struggle of African-Americans, expressing the aspirations of Africans and people of African descent.

“From the first Pan-African Conference, held in London in 1900, until the fifth and last Pan-African Conference held in Manchester (UK) in 1945, African-Americans provided the main driving power of the movement.

“Pan-Africanism then moved to Africa, its true home, with the holding of the First Conference of Independent African States in Accra (Ghana) in April 1958, and the All-African People's Conference in December of the same year."

It has been 50 years since the emergence of the OAU and a decade since the formation of the African Union (AU). It seeks to promote an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa that is people centred and represents a dynamic force on the world stage.

Despite the economic growth and progression on the continent, challenges in the form of poverty, civil wars and poor governance continue to deprive other Africans the on the benefits of being born in the continent.

Meanwhile, a series of celebration events has been planned by the Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Tshwane and the Africa Institute of South Africa.

Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile said “We are proud to support an initiative that showcases, develops and nurtures Africa's rich cultural heritage”.

The events will be celebrated under the theme “2013, Year of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance”.

In a joint statement between the Department of Arts and culture and the African Institute of South Africa, the organisers of the events said “Social cohesion and building a sense of belonging amongst Africans is one of the many objectives behind the celebrations”.