Monday 25 May marks the 57th anniversary of Africa Day, an observance that rings a bit different this year, in light of the war against a global pandemic.
Africa is always cast out as a concern in matters of global importance. When the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) crippled economies and healthcare ministries of developed worlds, experts warned of a catastrophe in Africa.
It was said that once the virus hits our continent, we would see deaths en masse that resemble that 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.
Interestingly, however, Africa has the least number of active cases and Covid-19 casualties in the world. According to the World Health Organisation’s latest situation report, Africa contributes 77 295 positive Covid-19 cases to the world’s 5.2 million. The death toll is also the lowest of all continents with 2 073 losses of life reported thus far.
Some might attribute it to our young population and others could look for more spiritual answers to why Covid-19 has not wiped out our population as experts predicted.
One thing is for sure, though. Africa is well equipped to deal with the pandemic.
Why do we celebrate Africa Day?
Perhaps, there isn’t a better time to proudly celebrate Africa Day than today. In the midst of a global crisis, our continent has remained resolute.
Our continental healthcare system is still intact and the economy may be in tatters by sheer affiliation to developed markets, but our financial standing is not as bad as outsiders may have expected.
Much of this alignment in our dealing with Covid-19 can be attributed to the outstanding performance of the African Union with was established as the Organisation of African Unity on this day in 1963.
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on this day, 57 years ago. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.
For South Africa, this day is especially important because our president Cyril Ramaphosa chairs the AU. He is at the forefront of deligating the organisation’s mandate in these unprecedented times.
It is only right that we stand behind him in celebrating Africa Day. We took a look at how people are commemorating this day on social media and this is what we picked out:
