By Dr Ntombifuthi Nala
Our founding fathers of the African Union understood that for Africa to rise to its full potential Africans must forge a united front. They saw Africa’s future intrinsically linked to the success of each nation on the continent.
“Together, we the people of Africa will be incomparably stronger internationally than we are now with our multiplicity of unviable states,” said Tanzanian anti-colonial activist Julius Nyerere.
This bold vision led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now known as African Union.
In the spirit of the formation of our continental body, let us join hands with one another towards developing our continent. This is also an opportunity to promote African unity, our deeper integration and recommit the people of Africa to a shared destiny.
In working together as Africans on the economic and social front we can harness the potential of our continent so that all Africa’s people can share in the infinite promise of our continent.
Our future as South Africa is intrinsically linked to Africa’s stability, unity and prosperity and all South Africans are encouraged to support Africa Month activities to promote greater unity. Let us embrace and partner with our fellow Africans residing in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.
Together we can work towards a stable continent to ensure prosperity for our region and the rest of Africa. Our actions towards a prosperous and stable continent are directed by Africa’s strategic roadmap of Agenda 2063.
It affirms the aspirations of Africa as a continent with strong cultural identity, values and ethics. Agenda 2063 calls for all segments of the African society and the African Diaspora, to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny.
In realising the goals of Agenda 2063, we can transform the nations of the continent into democratic, peaceful, and innovative powerhouses that will aim to be global players in the next 50 years.
One of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063 which harness the combined strength of the continent is the acceleration of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The AfCFTA’s makes doing business in the continent easier and presents an unprecedented opportunity for African countries to diversify their exports, attract foreign direct investment and grow their economies.
It holds the potential to boost intra-African trade by over 50 percent and can inject approximately $450 billion worth of investments into the African economy. South Africa is a strong supporter of the free trade area which has the potential to act as a catalyst to South African economic growth, and bolster the country in addressing its triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Through the free trade area our entrepreneurs, including medium to small businesses will benefit. It is in our national interest to grow the South African economy by creating jobs, providing basic services and ensuring equal access to opportunities.
South Africa remains committed to Africa’s advancement and as the most industrialised economy on the continent we are actively working to facilitate intra-Africa trade, enhance skills development, foreign direct investment and international cooperation.
Let us reconnect and recommit ourselves as Africans in support of all interventions to develop a better Africa. Together we can advance the continent and realise a peaceful and prosperous Africa that takes its rightful place in the global village.
Dr Ntombifuthi Nala is Director: Research at GCIS