The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of regional Affairs, John Mulimba, has asked youth in Africa to embrace Ubuntu (humanity) as one way of bettering themselves and the continent.
This, he said, while officiating at the opening of the South Africa-Uganda youth partnership dialogue held virtually via Zoom platform on Friday August 11.
Themed “Leveraging the gains from the SA-Uganda partnership to foster youth cooperation”, the dialogue was organised by the African Youth Caucus Inc., a nonprofit organisation, focused on empowering youth in the field of diplomacy on the continent of Africa.
“I urge the young generation to embrace the philosophy of Ubuntu and Pan Africanism. The philosophy of Ubuntu means ‘humanity’ and is reflected in the idea that we affirm our humanity when we affirm the humanity of others.
Africa is at the center of both Uganda and South Africa’s Foreign Policy, and the values that inspire and guide both countries are deeply rooted in the long years of struggle for liberation and Pan-Africanism,” Mulimba said.
The Minister further appealed to the youth to focus on Education and Youth Skilling programs that facilitate young people with creative & critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, life skills and communication to address a myriad of challenges facing the Youths like poverty, systemic inequalities, low level of educational attainment, low skills levels and skills mismatch, youth unemployment, poor physical and psychological stress.
“It is my considered view that this Dialogue opens up opportunities for (Uganda/South Africa) Youths Programs to have leverage to advance their voice to the Regional and Continental platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), that envisaged the African Agenda 63, No. 6 that calls for An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially the Women and Youth, and caring for children,” explained Mulimba.
He said there is need for a shared strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development and a global strategy to optimize the use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all African people and the aspirations of the Africa every one wants.
The current Youth population in Africa is over 400 million. Uganda has the second youngest population in the world and this is only expected to increase over the coming decades as the number of children, adolescents and youth in the country is forecasted to rise from 27.5 million in 2015 to 75.9 million in 2080. South Africa has an approximate population of over 20.4 Million.
As such, the Minister says, to position African youth as excellent youth, requires African governments increase investments in areas of Employment and Entrepreneurship, Education and Vocation Skills development, Health ICT and well-being and Rights, Governance and Economic Empowerment.
On Uganda-South Africa Relations, Mulimba said they have been excellent since 1994 with both former Presidents Mandela and Mbeki having visited Uganda.
He said South Africa and Uganda today continue to cooperate closely and coordinate their positions on issues in a number of regional and multilateral fora such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) and share similar perspectives particularly on the political and economic integration processes on the African continent.
It should be noted that during President Yoweri Museveni’s most recent State visit to South Africa, a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed including MOU on Cooperation in the Fields of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, MOU on Cooperation in Tourism and MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Correctional Services and Prisons.
Others are MOU on Cooperation in Transport Related Matters and MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communication Technologies.
The dialogue was also attended by H.E Paul Omiat Amoru Head of Mission High Commission of Uganda in South Africa, Mr Ngwako Solomon Deputy Head of Mission High Commission of South Africa in Uganda and Mr Kyateka Francis Mondo Assistant Commissioner gor Youth and Children Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.