Herald
25 May 2010
Harare — President Mugabe will today light a symbolic flame to commemorate the African Year of Peace and Sport as part of Africa Day celebrations.
In a statement yesterday, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Micheck Sibanda invited Ministers, senior Government officials, Members of Parliament, commissioners of all statutory bodies, the diplomatic corps, and church, business and youth leaders to the celebrations that start at Rainbow Towers at 10am.
In an interview yesterday, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart called for unity for development.
The Africa Day theme is “Building and Sustaining Peace through Sports”.
Africa Day is celebrated annually to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) by 32 independent states on May 25, 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“As we commemorate Africa Day, we have to remember to promote peace and stability in the country. “Sport is a powerful unifier because it has the power to transcend partisanship within a country. “For instance in South Africa the 1995 Rugby World Cup unified South Africans and former President Nelson Mandela played a significant role in promoting co-existence.”Zimbabweans also showed that sport transcends political affiliations when our national soccer team won the Cosafa tournament last year,” Minister Coltart said.
Minister Coltart said it was important for Zimbabwe to demonstrate solidarity with South Africa during the forthcoming 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.
In a statement, African Union chair Dr Jean Ping said: “The choice of this theme gives full meaning to the event, as it highlights our resolve to make all possible efforts in order to fulfil the vision of Africa towards peaceful co-existence, integration, prosperity and proactiveness on the global scene.
“It further marks a strong and symbolic moment in the history of our continent, as it has brought to the limelight the power of sports and its contribution to peace and social cohesion.”