(Published - 25 May 2020)

Dear Campus Community,

Today we celebrate the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

The OAU - which eventually became the African Union - was established to combat colonialism and apartheid, and to promote political, economic and social cohesion and unity between African countries and nations..

At the University of the Western Cape, we believe in celebrating that unity - because the challenges we face as a society are too great for any of us to overcome alone, now more than ever. 

So as we commemorate Africa Day today, let us celebrate how far Africa has come, and how far we still have left to go - and remember that we can only get there if we work together, in the spirit of ubuntu.

As the Africa proverb goes: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Let us go forward together - and happy Africa Day!

Warm Regards
Prof Vivienne Lawack
Acting Rector And Vice-Chancellor
University of the Western Cape