On September 9th, 2024, African Union Day was celebrated in a remarkable event at the Sunbird Capital Hotel Marquee in Lilongwe, Malawi. With the theme, “Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century,” the evening was filled with lively performances, inspirational speeches, and forward-thinking initiatives, all under the banner of empowering Africa’s future through education and skill-building.
The event began with the lively rhythms of African music, creating a warm and festive ambiance as guests arrived. The national anthem of Malawi was then performed, followed by the African Union anthem, honoring both the host nation and the continent. This musical prelude beautifully captured the essence of unity and pride in Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
One of the standout moments of the night was the premiere of our Ntha Foundation 2024 video during the event! This short video, played for the distinguished guests, highlighted the core mission and achievements of the foundation, which continues to pave the way for African youth to excel in education, technology, and entrepreneurship.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the teams at Kwathu Kollective and African Union SARO for their incredible collaboration in making this premiere a reality. It was truly a proud moment to see the fruits of our collective effort showcased on such a grand stage.
For African Youth. By African Youth. Our mission remains steadfast in building pathways for the young people of Africa to thrive in a global economy, emphasizing education, innovation, and digital empowerment.
Speeches & Reflections
After the premiere of the Ntha Foundation video, several key figures took the stage, sharing their thoughts on the importance of education in Africa’s development.
- Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the role of multilateral partnerships in fostering educational growth across the continent.
- Amb. Dr. Nancy Saungweme, Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and Diplomatic Corps, highlighted the power of unity and collaboration among African nations, drawing on Zimbabwe’s educational successes as a model for the rest of Africa.
- Amb. David Claude Pierre, Permanent Representative of AUSARO, COMESA, and SADC, spoke passionately about Africa’s young population being its greatest resource, and the necessity of equipping them with skills to succeed in the 21st century.
Their reflections were a stirring reminder of the importance of education and skill-building in shaping the future of our continent.
Remarks from Malawi’s Ministers
Following these speeches, the floor was opened to remarks by two of Malawi’s key government officials:
- Hon. Nancy Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed her optimism about the growing focus on education across Africa, calling for more investments in digital skills and innovation.
- Hon. Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, Minister of Education and the Guest of Honor, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of reimagining Africa’s education systems to meet the needs of the 21st-century labor market. Her call to action for African youth to embrace digital literacy was met with resounding applause.
A Night of African Unity
The event concluded with a colorful performance by a local dance troupe followed by vibrant African music playing in the background, as guests mingled and celebrated the shared vision for a brighter future. It was an evening that underscored not only the challenges Africa faces but also the enormous potential of its youth.
The Ntha Foundation is honored to have been part of this significant celebration of African unity and progress. We remain committed to ensuring that African youth have the education and skills needed to thrive in the global economy.
Work With Us
Want to partner on or fund one of our programmes / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Business Development Associate; Ms. Abigail Zingani via contact@kwathucentre.org, or give us a call(direct or WhatsApp) on +265991850749.
To keep up with the work of the Ntha Foundation, our hubs under the Kwathu Kollective, our initiatives, and our projects, follow us on social media:
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