
On the 25th May 1963 the leaders of 32 African nations converged in Ethiopia‘s capital, Addis Ababa, and formed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organisation was a symbol of Africa’s independence from the colonisation that had beset the continent for decades, and represented the aspirations of African people. The OAU supported the struggle for liberation in Southern African through its Liberation Committee – both the ANC and PAC received support in their struggle against apartheid through this committee.
South Africa joined the OAU on 23 May 1994, after our first democratic elections that took place that year. Thirty-eight years after its formation, the OAU was officially replaced by the African Union (AU) on 25 May 2001.
This year the Africa Day Concert takes place as part of the African Renaissance Festival, which began 15 years ago in an endeavour to reignite Africa’s belief in itself and in its potenital to develop its own resources. The concert will feature some of the biggest names on the SA music scene: award-winning vintage-inspired Afro-Pop outfit Mafikizolo, the soul sensation Zonke, and kwaito star Professor, with Linda Sibiya as the host and MC.
Tickets cost R110 and can be purchased through Computicket.