Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Wednesday that Africa Day is an opportunity to celebrate the socioeconomic achievements on the continent.

Africa Day is commemorated every year to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. The OAU was the predecessor of the the African Union (AU).

This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent’.

Gungubele said South Africa stood with its counterparts on the continent in addressing pertinent challenges such as nutrition.

Gungubele said the challenge of malnutrition was concerning as it had significant consequences for African children, and it led to decreased social and economic development of nations.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the economic vulnerability of countries, including their health and food systems.

“As part of the long-term vision set out in Agenda 2063, we must strive to fully realise the common aspiration of well-nourished citizens, with a particular emphasis on women and children,” said Gungubele.

He acknowledged while more needed to be done on the continent, the AU had made important progress in two decades and had established itself as the premier organ of unity in Africa. 

He said everybody had a role to play to address key challenges on the continent.