Celebrating Africa Day in Germany

Africa Day is now celebrated around the world, to honor the continent's progress as well as reflect on its challenges.

In Berlin, Germany, a local African tech meetup group marked the occasion with a discussion about creating jobs in Africa.

The SABC's Ira Spitzer caught up with some of the participants to find out what Africa day means to them.

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SOT, Sibulele, Durban, South Africa

“Definitely, Africa day means something for me as someone that is now part of the African diaspora living in Europe. 

SOT, Opeyemi Ajayi, Nigeria

“Today means a lot because it’s a gathering of Africans who want to come together and discuss the current situation of the continent and also want to forge a way ahead.”

Kave Bulambo, Democratic Republic of Congo

“It’s my first celebration of Africa day and at this point, it’s really got me at a point where I’m beginning to become aware of my identity as an African and celebrating that fact.”

SOT, Sibulele, Durban, South Africa

“I think I like observing Africa day to actually remind myself that there is still a calling to go back home.”

SOT, James Shikwati, Kenya

“I think it’s a a challenge to each African who sees challenges within the continent to really step up and and not just wait for other people to come over to Africa to solve those challenges but use such a day to reflect on what has been their role to solve some of the problems that Africa is facing.”

SOT, Opeyemi Ajayi, Nigeria

“We’re going into a technological era where offices no longer mean so much, where ideas that makes life better for people means a lot.”

SOT, Jorg Kleis, Germany

“For me and my company Africa Works, the Africa Day is essential because each year it reminds us of the possibility that we as Europeans and Africans have to rewrite the story of European/African relations, meeting each other anew, getting to to know each other anew and especially through doing business.”

SOT, Kave Bulambo, Democratic Republic of Congo

“I really love Africa. I really think we as the young people have the power to harness and create the Africa that we want, so let’s change a little bit our mentality and really dig deep and see what we can do to create the Africa that we want, because we can. It’s in our minds. The more we imagine a better Africa, the more we will start creating it and the more it will start to manifest itself, so yeah we can do this.”

//ENDS