As Africa’s leading open distance learning institution, Unisa has a rich history of relationships with influential and illustrious thought leaders from around the world. It is thus fitting that in its 140th year of shaping futures, Unisa, together with its leadership institute, the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI), and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation (TMF), will play a key role in a colloquium discussing issues such as African leadership and its challenges, African leadership on the world stage, and lessons for South Africa and Africa.
While most of these sessions will be closed, the historical and contemporary challenges facing the African continent will take centre stage during an open dialogue, themed Celebration and reflection of Unisa’s 140 years of shaping futures and 50 years of the OAU and beyond. This also forms part of the Unisa Research and Innovation Week (11–15 March 2013).
The event will take the form of a conversation by a panel of high-level academics, scholars and thinkers from Africa and the diaspora, who will conduct an honest and robust discussion of the challenges facing the continent, and propose lasting solutions to these challenges. It will be a time to reflect on the contribution made by Unisa to South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world in its 140-year history, and also an occasion to reflect on the political life and national, continental and international contributions of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who will also be in attendance.
The panellists and anchors for the dialogue include the following leading academics and thought leaders from around the world:
Panellists
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Anchors
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Get more information on the panellists and dialogue anchors at this prestigious event.
About the Organisation of Africa Unity
The OAU, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was established by 37 independent African nations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 25 May 1963 to promote the unity and solidarity of African states, to coordinate the cooperation of African states to achieve a better life for the people of Africa, to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states, and to eradicate all forms of colonialism.
The OAU mediated several border and internal disputes, and played an important role in bringing about the end of apartheid in South Africa. South Africa became the 53rd member on 23 May 1994. The organisation was disbanded on 9 July 2002 by its last chairperson, then South African President Thabo Mbeki, and replaced by the African Union (AU).
*Additional information and images sourced from www.infodev.org, www.thabombekifoundation.org.za and http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/organization-african-unity.html
