Johannesburg - The University of Johannesburg announced on Friday that it would be hosting an Africa Day Symposium on Africa Day on Monday to address concerns around xenophobia and economic benefits derived from trade across the continent.
The University of Johannesburg, in a collaborative drive with the Department of Economic Development and the Industrial Development Corporation, was set to host the Africa Day Symposium on Monday at its Kerzner Building.
The University said in a statement on Friday that this symposium was important for the nation as it was taking place after the recent spate of xenophobic attacks. Titled “Africa and the South African Economy”, the symposium would be looking at several issues regarding jobs and economic growth.
The theme for this year’s Africa Day is “We are Africa - Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo.” This theme was expositioned in the symposium as it focused on looking at the strengths of Africa’s positive, vibrant, growing economy and its impact on South Africa and its own economy.
Professor Ihron Rensburg, Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, and Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Economic Development, would be addressing delegates at the symposium.
In a joint statement, the organisations said: “The Symposium takes place in the context of recent xenophobic statements and violence against fellow Africans. While the arguments against xenophobia will principally be in the assertion of our ubuntu and the mutual solidarity of citizens of the continent, there are very significant economic benefits to the relationship between South Africa and the rest of the continent.”
The symposium would look at trade flows, investment, tourism and infrastructure development, among other aspects.
“African economic integration is a critical driver for shared economic prosperity and job creation,” the statement said.
Concerns about xenophobia, the fear of losing jobs to migrant workers, being excluded from economic activity, and the benefits South Africa received from integrating the emerging, growing economies of other countries would also be addressed at the symposium.
ANA