The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, in steadfast adherence to the mandate set forth by Africa’s political leaders in 1963, will commemorate Africa Day, May 25th, with its 15th Africa Day Lecture. This year, the lecture will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a deliberate continuation of the Foundation’s strategic rotation of this pivotal platform across the African continent. This decision, initiated with the 13th Lecture in Conakry, Guinea, underscores the Foundation’s commitment to a truly pan-African dialogue, ensuring diverse regional contexts and perspectives are incorporated into the discourse on our shared future.
The selection of Tanzania as the host nation carries profound symbolic weight. Dar es Salaam, with its rich history within the Pan-African movement, exemplified by the contributions of luminaries such as Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Benjamin Mkapa, and Getrude Mongella, and its strategic position in East Africa, provides an ideal setting for this significant event. The partnership with the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation further strengthens the event’s connection to the legacy of African unity and liberation. The Foundation’s long-standing collaboration with the University of South Africa (UNISA), a leading African academic institution with continental reach, ensures a robust academic foundation and broad engagement.
Scheduled for Saturday, 24 May 2025, the 15th Africa Day Lecture will focus on reigniting the African Renaissance. This lecture aims to provide a comprehensive and incisive analysis of Africa’s current political, social, and economic landscape. It will offer visionary insights and strategic direction essential for steering the continent towards a prosperous and unified future, building upon the groundwork laid since the inaugural lecture in 2010. The event will serve as a clarion call to all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Africa’s destiny.
The lecture will be the centerpiece of a week-long programme, running from Monday, 19 May to Sunday, 25 May 2025, designed to celebrate Africa Day and facilitate critical dialogue among key stakeholders. This includes government representatives, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, youth, and the diaspora. Further details regarding the week’s full programme and speakers will be disseminated in due course.
The 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture in Dar es Salaam is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for reflection, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to the African Renaissance. We extend a warm invitation to all Africans and friends of Africa to join us in Dar es Salaam as we celebrate Africa Day, reflect on our shared aspirations, and reaffirm our dedication to the vision of a united, prosperous, and dignified Africa.
