Chair, the ACDP joins people across Africa in celebrating Africa Day tomorrow. We have participated in the steering committee for Parliament's Africa Day celebration at Gallagher Estate and we will also attend the Global African Diaspora Summit hosted by the African Union. The Diaspora Summit will be attended by 64 heads of state. The ACDP hopes that these events will provide the envisaged strategic platform for heads of state to share in discussions which will help build relationships and contribute to a revival of our global African family.
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, currently recognised as the African Union. The AU has honoured South Africa by bringing the continent of Africa together on South African soil to celebrate and to share the collective and unique challenges we face in Africa, with armed conflict, climate change and poverty never being too far from our consciousness. Africa Day is a celebration of African unity and its diverse culture.
The ACDP welcomes this opportunity for South Africans not only to welcome African heads of state and guests from other continents, but also to reach out to the many foreign nationals residing in South Africa, developing meaningful conversations, which can bring us closer together in appreciation of our oneness and our unique differences.
Often it is those who have left the land of their forefathers that cling more tenaciously to the culture they have left behind than those who remain in their homeland adapting to changing circumstances. We hear so much about the brain drain. Perhaps these very people who make up the brain drain could be converted into brain gain by acting as talent accelerators for the homeland's next generation through mentoring, internships and other training and educational possibilities.
The celebration of African cultural renaissance through dialogue is valuable in and of itself, but can be so much more than just talking. So, happy Africa Day, everybody here today, and to everyone on the African continent, and to everyone who has Africa in their heart. Thank you. [Applause.]