Africa İntellectuals To Meet İn Pretoria On Challenges

More than 100 scholars, social activists, government officials and business leaders are expected to attend the 3 day conference.

Over 100 African intellectuals from across the continent and in the diaspora will gather in Pretoria on Thursday to mull African solutions to African problems.

"The main aim of the conference is to create awareness of why Africans must unite and respond to their challenges," Prof. Mammo Muchie, one of the event's organizers, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

"We have been holding similar conferences for the last four years," he said.

Muchie, a research professor at Tshwane University of Technology, said the three-day conference would draw delegates from across the continent and the world.

"Papers will be presented in both English and French," he added.

The event is being organized by the Africa Institute of South Africa, a new division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in collaboration with several institutions and government departments.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki will open the conference, later sharing the podium with Salim Ahmed Salim, the former secretary-general of the Organization of African Unity.

More than 100 scholars, social activists, government officials and business leaders are expected to attend.

"With the hosting of this conference at this time, Africa is taking the moment to reflect on its achievements in the quest for solutions to its multifaceted social, economic and political problems," Temba Masilela, deputy CEO of the HSRC, said in a statement.

"The conference will probe the potential of African Solutions for African Problems for instilling real change nationally, regionally and continentally," he added.

The conference will conclude by unveiling an "African renaissance and unity" manifesto meant to chart the way forward in Africa's quest for greater integration and economic and political unity.   

By Hassan Isilow 

englishnews@aa.com.tr - Gauteng