Dear Parents

In Monday morning’s assembly, I spoke to the School about Africa Day, which was celebrated this past Saturday on the 25th of May. I spoke to the fact that Africa Day is an important milestone, where all Africans come together to celebrate our rich and diverse heritage and commemorate the founding of the African Union in 2002, as a successor to the OAU established in 1963.

This day reminds all Africans of our shared history, our collective struggles, and our endless potential. In the assembly, I reflected on the powerful words of ex-President, Thabo Mbeki, in his iconic "I am an African" speech, we remember that being African is not merely a matter of geography, but a place with a profound identity rooted in history, culture, and values that bring us all together. Mr Mbeki powerfully declared, "I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers, the seas, and the ever-changing seasons that define the face of our land." His words capture the essence of our togetherness in diversity, and the determined spirit that characterizes our continent.

As we celebrate Africa month, the month of May, I feel it is important for us as a School to remember that our strength lies in our unity. In South Africa we have that wonderful word “Ubuntu” – it emphasises the interconnectedness of all individuals and their mutual responsibilities towards each other and their environment – “I am because you are, you are because we are”. I encouraged the School to embrace the diversity that enriches our cultures, languages, and traditions, to always draw inspiration from our past, hope from our present, and confidence in our future. As a legacy, our School must help continue to build an Africa that is vibrant, resilient, and proud - a continent that stands tall, driven by the dreams and aspirations of its people. I encouraged each student to always celebrate our beautiful continent with pride, resolve, and harmony. This past week has also been an exciting time in our Country as we have exercised our civic responsibility to vote. This important event not only underscores the significance of participating in our democratic process but also provides a valuable educational..

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