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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu has expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the African Union Commission. This after, this province was identified to host the State of the Continent Media Briefing to be addressed by the out-going chair Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma today at 12h30 at the Hilton Hotel, an event to be broadcast live.

Premier remarked: “During the end of the term of office of the chair of the African Union, a state of the continent address is presented with the venue identified by the African Union. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and eThekwini Municipality were approached by the AU to host this important event."

“We believe that this is a  vote of confidence in our ability to host, successfully, international events.  This event will be broadcast to the whole continent and the global community, giving us access to the global audience, which is boost for our marketing efforts.  The province has positioned itself as the home of African renaissance celebrations as well as an important venue for high profile national and international events that are hosted in South Africa."


"It is this province that has in the past hosted the inaugural and founding conference for the formation of the African Union, hosting all the heads of states from the African Continent.  It should be remembered that on the 9th July 2002, the Organization of African Union metamorphosed into the African Union.  Meetings ahead of the launch were held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, named after the first African recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Inkosi Albert Mvumbi Luthuli."


"The launch, brought together 53 member states who collectively agreed to work towards addressing challenges such as unemployment, poverty and equality. The leaders committed themselves to promote unity and solidarity among African states."

"Many other conferences of note such as the World Economic Forum, Non-Aligned Movement Summit, the largest AIDS International Conference in year 2000 and 2016, Commonwealth Conference, CORP 17 and BRICS have been successfully hosted in this city."

Issued by KZN Office Of The Premier