This year 2022, marks 20 years since the Durban Summit that established the African Union (AU) and 70 years for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU had been established to primarily rid the African continent of imperialism, colonization and apartheid; enhance unity and solidarity as well coordinate corporation among African states. 

Launched in 2002, the African Union was an institutional evolution of the Organization for African Unity (OAU). The African Heads of State issued a Declaration for the AU to primarily accelerate the process of Africa’s integration, re-position Africa into her rightful place globally and addressing the protracted and complex social, political and economic challenges. 

The Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs (TM-School), a joint initiative of the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation (TMF), will on May 27, 2022, host the 12th Annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture. The lecture will be themed: “African Union @ 20”, to mark the 20the anniversary of the AU. 

The lecture will be delivered by the distinguished African intellectual, scholar and academic, Professor Toyin Falola. He Professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, the University of Texas at Austin. He is an Honorary Professor, University of Cape Town, and Extraordinary Professor of Human Rights, University of the Free State. Prof Falola has written extensively on the humanities, including The Humanities in Africa: Knowledge Production, Universities, and the production of knowledge. 

To observe strict Covid-19 protocols, the lecture will be a hybrid event. It will start at 6pm at the Ballroom, Gallagher Convention Centre, 19 Richards Dr, Halfway House, Midrand, 1685. 

For RSVP and interview request please contact Mr Edgar Rathelele on 063 731 5456 / ratheme@unisa.ac.za or Mr Siyabulela Gebe on 011 486 1560 / Siyabulela@mbeki.org