Zuma calls for unity on continent

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. 24 /05/2015 Kopano Tlape GCIS

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. 24 /05/2015 Kopano Tlape GCIS

Published May 25, 2015

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Staff Writers

PRETORIA: President Jacob Zuma blasted the media yesterday for “exaggerating” events and adopting a negative stance in reporting on the xenophobic attacks which rocked the country recently.

Zuma was speaking ahead of Africa Day at the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi West Campus.

“South Africans are not xenophobic. There are elements of criminality where xenophobia is used as an excuse to rob people.

“It’s important that we do not live in the mindset of the media because there were nationals from other countries who fought in our Struggle,” Zuma said to a cheering crowd.

He also called for unity among Africans and said Africa Day bears a special meaning to South Africans and the role they should play within the continent.

“Starting from today, every community must practise the African Union anthem and must be able to sing at all gatherings,” he said.

“Africa Day is a celebration of African progress. We have a lot to celebrate and we have a lot to look forward to. It is also a day to reflect on challenges that still remain.”

He said this would be an integral component of reclaiming the identity of Africans and moving away from the oppression created by the apartheid regime.

Zuma added that South Africa was “honoured” to host two events next month – the 25th summit of the AU in Sandton and the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town.

“The theme of the summit is ‘The Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063’. We must use this occasion to learn more about the AU, its structures, programmes and about our continent in general. We need to understand our country’s contribution to the work of the AU in building a better Africa and in contributing to building a better world,” he said.

“On Africa Day in 2013, the African continent committed the AU to the 50-year vision called Agenda 2063. This innovative plan outlines the vision of building effective institutions, enhancing accountability, strengthening solidarity and integration, gender equality and peace and security.

“It also talks about the reform of institutions of global governance such as the UN, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

“At the World Economic Forum on Africa political and business leaders from all over the world will get together to discuss Africa’s future and growth prospects.”

Among those present were Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, City of Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa and Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa.

Dlamini-Zuma, who took to the podium before Zuma, said South Africans needed to be aware that 60 percent of tourists travelling to South Africa were Africans who contributed to the country’s economy.

“For the past two years I have been living in Ethiopia, and I have never been made to feel as though I was a foreigner or I was a migrant,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

“What happened here was painful to me. We must stop the aberration of beating up others because they are from other parts of the continent.”

She said the country’s liberation struggle and freedom was reflected by the freedom celebrated by the rest of the continent.

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