WATCH: Did you know today is #AfricaDay?

FILE: President Jacob Zuma with AU Chair of Commissions Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, DIRCO Minister Maite Noana-Mashabane,Tshwane Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Gauteng Premier David Makhura took to the dance floor at Africa Day Celebration held at University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus. Kopano Tlape GCIS

FILE: President Jacob Zuma with AU Chair of Commissions Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, DIRCO Minister Maite Noana-Mashabane,Tshwane Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Gauteng Premier David Makhura took to the dance floor at Africa Day Celebration held at University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus. Kopano Tlape GCIS

Published May 25, 2017

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DURBAN - Did you know that today is Africa day? 

We did a snap survey on the streets of Durban to find out, and from the 8 people we polled (see video below), only 2 people knew when Africa Day was.

But what does it mean to be an African, who is an African? 

"We need to be proud of being African as it is our heritage, it does not matter what tribe you are from," said Phastus Kutumela, originally of Polokwane, who now lives in Durban.

"(An African) is a human being just like me and you, irrespective of race," said Morena Wiseman Johannes of Kokstad.

"I will describe myself as an African, but where I have a problem is that even in Parliament they don't talk about racism, I still hear and I read in the papers, the ministers say the Indian, African, the white man and the blacks, so why should we say Africa Day when people like them (who) are leaders are misleading us by using these racial terms," said Rafique Mohamed, a bus driver from the Durban suburb of Chatsworth. 

Karen O'Donovan, a Swaziland-born Ballito resident, said Africans were people born on the continent. 

"If you are born on the continent you are an African, but having said that, Africa is a continent that gets under your skin. I have a lot of friends who are not born on the continent who once they live here, feel like they are (African), that's the kind of continent this is," she said.

As the continent celebrates Africa day, leaders in society and people across the African continent will use the day to reflect on socio-economic issues affecting Africa and the progress that has been by the African Union.

  

The city of Durban will play host to the African Renaissance Conference from Thursday to Friday and close off on Saturday with a musical concert.

The Festival programme is closely aligned with the need to promote an entrepreneurial culture in KwaZulu-Natal.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE 

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