As South Africa and the rest of the African continent rejoices over hosting a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup – the first on African soil, 17 countries around the continent are also celebrating their Golden Jubilees of Independence.
The Pan African Youth Dialogue - a youth driven and managed organisation founded specifically to place young people at the centre of the development and public critique of every aspect of African society, working in partnership with the Rhodes University Student Representative Council, has invited the Founding President of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Former President of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano to address a gathering of the University and its larger community.
The former President of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda will give a lecture on “The liberation struggle’s vision for Africa and its current trajectory: the role of young people” on 27 July 2010, at 18h00.
Former President of Mozambique and Chairperson of Africa Forum Joaquim Chissano will give a lecture on the “2010 FIFA WORLD CUP: towards greater unity, cohesion and cooperation in Africa” on 28 July 2010, at 18h00.
Former Presidents Kaunda and Chissano will also meet with members of Learners Representative Councils (RCL) from High Schools around Grahamstown from 09h00 to 11h00 on 28 July 2010 at the Rhodes Postgraduate Village.
There will be a Panel Discussion on 28 July 2010 focusing on “Africa in the last 50 years, what should be done in the next half-century and the centrality of young people”. The Panel will comprise former presidents Kaunda and Chissano, Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel, Rhodes students and the Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Mr Andile Lungisa. Among the guests for this prestigious event will be the Eastern Cape Premier, Ms Noxolo Kiviet and the Mayor of Makana, Mr Vumile Lwana.
This panel discussion, the first of its kind to be hosted in a South African university, builds from last year’s (2009) Africa Day Celebration with Former President Thabo Mbeki at Rhodes University. Its aim is to consolidate views on Africa’s trajectory across the political, academic and youth spectrum.
This is in line with the Rhodes SRC and the Pan African Youth Dialogue’s broader framework and idea of inspiring young people to participate in the daily life of their communities and to be aware of developments around them and the vision of Rhodes University of being an “outstanding internationally-respected academic institution which proudly affirms its African identity”.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Tuesday 27 July
18:10 Dr Kaunda’s Address
Wednesday 28 July
09:00 Former Presidents, Dr Kaunda and Mr Chissano meet with Representative Council of Learners from Grahamstown schools
11:00 Meeting with the Students Representative Council and organisers
12:00 Light lunch with SRC, former presidents, Dr Kaunda, Mr Chissano and organisers
13:00 – 14:00 Meeting with international students
18:10 Mr Siyabulela Gebe to address the gathering and explain Panel Discussion. Former President Chissano to give an address