The foundation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25th, 1963, gave birth to Africa Day, a date celebrated in many African countries. It’s a day to remember the beauty, struggles, potential, and identity of the continent. It is also an opportunity to think forward in building the future we want.
The 1960s saw the independence of African countries under the colonial rule of nations that carved an entire continent for beneficial gains. The newly independent countries recognized the need for strengthened collaboration amongst themselves to ensure efficient economic, social, cultural, and political integration. The OAU, later replaced by the African Union, was that collaboration platform.
The OAU might have been the most documented form of contemporary alliances but if one looks prior to the scramble for Africa, territories and African Kingdoms were collaborating and forming regional alliances for survival and prosperity. In illustration, the Mali Empire, the Kingdom of Kongo, the Great Zimbabwe, and the Shongai Empire dominated regions, collaborated, and thrived. Drawing from the traditional knowledge and collaborations between these empires should be lessons of further integration for the current generation.
The past and current identity of Africa is deeply rooted in the intrusion and dominance of foreign nations who have continuously asserted their norms and structures that Africans adopted even in instances when they clashed with native cultures. This is surely also the cause of socio-cultural and even political conflicts in many African countries.
In the midst of these crises, there is a wave of bold and unapologetic thinking related to the greatness of Africa that is at the forefront of conversations with the current generation of Africans. This thinking has always existed however new forms of information flow such as social media made it more available to the world. In this globalization era, Africans are affirming themselves to solidify their space in the world even though it is a daunting task. The continent is often undermined by international media and politics even though they can see the potential. In response, How to Write about Africa, By Africa for Africa, the Africa We Want, and Changing the African Narrative are initiatives showing the world the continent’s space in the world.
Africa Day in most countries focuses on celebrating the vibrant culture and achievements. It is also a reflection on the ongoing conflicts, foreign exploitation, and some of the inter-continent disintegration that plagues populations. It’s a day of positivity and highlighting what Africa brings to the world. Afro-beats are the basis of worldwide dance trends, colorful fabrics are taking global runways, and African past and contemporary literature are on international reading lists. The approach of African growth is not so much interested in competing with the rest of the world, but rather in affirming its unique flair.
As Africans, Every Day is Africa Day. As Kwame Nkrumah, one of the founders of the OAU, said “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.” We live and breathe the positive, the challenges, the potential, and the opportunities in the 54 countries. We work, hope, and dream as we build the Africa We Want.
Happy Africa Day
Deborah M Ndjerareou
Photo credit here.
We Write Afrika 
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