media releases - OAU @ 50 and Beyond

7 March 2013 – An unprecedented group of nine internationally renowned African scholars based in various universities around the world will converge on the University of South Africa (Unisa) for a high-powered dialogue and colloquium on Africa on 14-16 March 2013.

The dialogue forms part of the celebrations to mark Unisa’s 140^th anniversary and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) at 50 years old; and will be co-anchored by six distinguished local academics teaching in various South African universities.

The theme of this public event is: In Celebration of 140 years of Shaping Futures: OAU@50 and Beyond.

The public dialogue will be followed by a closed session colloquium where the invited academics will do a comprehensive assessment of the leadership of Former President Thabo Mbeki, analysing his intellectual output to the body of ideas that have contributed to national building and to Africa’s development. The theme for the closed session is Mbeki@70 and it forms part of the on-going events celebrating the former President birth milestone.

Panellists:

·        Dr Molefi Asante (Temple University, USA)

·        Prof. Peter Lawrence (Keele University, UK)

·        Prof. Mahmood Mamdani (Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda)

·        Dr Patricia McFadden (Swaziland)

·        Dr Carlos Lopes (UN Economic Commission for Africa ECA, Ethiopia)

·        Prof. V. Mudimbe (Duke University, USA)

·        Prof. Adebayo Olukushi (United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning IDEP, Senegal)

·        Prof. Ebrahim Sall (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa CODESRIA, Senegal)

·        Prof. Hellicy Ngambi (Mulungushi University, Kabwe Zambia)

Anchors:

·        Prof. Jimi Adesina (Unisa)

·        Prof. Catherine Odora Hoppers (Unisa)

·        Prof. Chris Landsberg (UJ)

·        Prof. Pedro Tabensky (Rhodes University)

·        Prof. Shadrack Gutto (Unisa)

·        Prof. N. Barney Pityana

Background:

The University of South African (Unisa) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) are marking major milestones this year, with Unisa celebrating its 140^th year while the OAU turns 50 this May.

In marking these major events, Unisa and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation decided to jointly host a public dialogue where the historical and contemporary challenges facing the African continent will take centre stage.

The panel of pre-eminent academics, scholars and thinkers from Africa and the Diaspora, will conduct an honest assessment of the myriad of challenges facing the continent; as well as propose lasting solutions to these challenges.

The contribution made by the University of South (Unisa) in South Africa, Africa and the world at large, in its 140 years in existence, will also form part of the conversation.

Also, since the establishment of the OAU in May 1963, the African continent has made significant progress but has also suffered numerous setbacks. Therefore, the dialogue will attempt to answer the question: What should be done to realise Africa’s renaissance?

The media is invited to the public dialogue. The details are as follows:

Date              :           Thursday, 14 March 2013

Venue          :           ZK Matthews Great Hall (Unisa), Preller Street,                                                                              Muckleneuk, Tshwane

Time             :           08:30 – 12:00

Enquiries: Ms Miranda Strydom (Thabo Mbeki Foundation) – 083 246 1053

                        Mr Martin Ramotshela (Unisa) - 076 486 3262