Africa Day Celebrations

The Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy joined the rest of Africa in celebrating Africa’s Birthday on 25 May 2017 at the prestigious Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conference Centre. The Organization of African Unity (Now African Union) was born on 25 May 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event jointly hosted by the Zimbabwe Foreign Ministry and African Heads of Missions was to mark the genesis of Africa’s multilateral diplomacy. Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to Zimbabwe, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations, Senior Government Officials,   MPs, the Corporate World, Non Governmental organizations and Civil Society graced the occasion which progressed well in the “African Nights”.

Guest Speaker, Honourable Sydney Sekeramayi urged African countries to rekindle the spirit of solidarity and unity shown by the founding fathers of the OAU saying it was only through unity and oneness that Africa will be able to withstand negative forces of neo-colonialism that continue to be on the prowl. He encouraged the young generation to be inspired by the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s words and pick up the flickering torch of African freedom, refuel it with enthusiasm, determination and carry it forward.

His Excellency Mwanananga Mwawampanga, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, congratulated Zimbabwe for being one of the few countries that set aside Africa Day as a public holiday.

The attraction of the night was an array of African cuisine from across the continental diversity which European, Asian and Latin American Diplomats  found sumptuous.

The evening was typical of an “African nights” with the powerful sounds of music and African drums gyrations and dances. Cultural groups from Namibia, Malawi and the ZRP band provided the entertainment.

Happy Africa Day Mama Africa!