To commemorate Africa Day 2025, Johannesburg will transform into a battleground for justice on Saturday 24 March 2025 as activists, students, workers, trade unions, and grassroots movements unite in the Solidarity Walk from Mary Fitzgerald Square to Constitution Hill from 9am to 3pm.
The march is a bold stand against oppression across Africa, with Swaziland’s monarchy at the centre of resistance. King Mswati III continues to rule through terror, suppressing pro-democracy voices while exploiting the nation’s wealth, the organisers said. Participants will also rise against dictatorship and electoral fraud in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Cameroon, Mozambique, South Sudan, DRC, Ethiopia, and beyond, calling out elite corruption that robs Africa of true democracy.
The demonstration extends solidarity to Palestine, condemning Israeli apartheid while affirming Africa’s historic role in global liberation struggles. Organisers emphasise that while colonialism ended, economic injustice and authoritarian rule remain, keeping Africa hostage. “The age of diplomatic silence is over,” they declare. “Oppressive leaders hide behind pan-African slogans while feeding on the people’s pain. Now, Africa rises.”
Silencing the guns: A unified beat for peace
Meanwhile, Africa Day 2025 will witness a historic peace initiative in Pretoria, as Freedom Park hosts "Silencing the Guns – Let the Drums Roll", a movement grounded in African Union’s Agenda 2063, on Sunday 25 May 2025.
This campaign unites all 55 AU member states in a synchronised drumming performance, physically and virtually, to amplify Africa’s collective call for peace and unity. A digital platform, developed by ZA Central Registry (ZACR), enables participants to upload drumming performances, curating a powerful soundscape of Pan-African solidarity.
“This event is more than a drumming ceremony,” said Dr Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park. “It is a call for a united Africa, an end to conflict, and the celebration of our shared identity.” The programme starts at 8am, featuring a high-level panel discussion on regional peacekeeping, a mass drumming session, and live messages of peace from key dignitaries.
Lucky Masilela, CEO of ZACR, adds: “Technology is the enabler that connects us. By merging heritage, activism, and digital innovation, we advance both peace and Africa’s digital future.”
Celebrating Africa’s identity and solidarity
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture joins the Africa Day 2025 commemorations at Freedom Park on Sunday, 25 May 2025, marking its 11th edition of Africa Day under the theme: “Building the Africa We Want through Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” The programme kicks off with the Parade Carnival from Kgosi Mampuru Prison at 8:30am, honouring Africa’s heritage, unity, and ongoing struggles for justice.
The state of the continent
Former President of the Republic of South Africa, Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Chancellor of Unisa, Dr Thabo Mbeki will lead a robust discussion on the state of the continent at the 15th Annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday, 24 May 2024.
The lecture, to be held under the theme “The State of the Continent” is organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, in collaboration with Unisa, the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation. It is an annual event organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Unisa to commemorate Africa Day.
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, former Prime Minister of Tanzania, His Excellency Joseph Sinde Warioba as well as 1 Ambassador Ami Mpungwe, Advisory Council Member of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, are among some of the key speakers and programme participants at the lecture.
May marks Africa Month, a time for reflection and celebration of African identity, cultural expression, and historic victories. Africa Day is observed annually to honour the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963, which later evolved into the African Union. Africa Month 2025 is especially significant as South Africa celebrates 31 years of democracy while presiding over the Group of 20 (G20).
#Conviction
Get your news on the go. Click here to follow the Conviction WhatsApp channel
