The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), in partnership with the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS), Africa Philanthropy Network, Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF), Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), and Wits Business School, hosted a vibrant and thought-provoking Africa Day Commemoration in Johannesburg on 23 May. It was held under the theme: “Justice, Solidarity, Sustainability for Africa: Pathways of Hope and Regeneration.” The commemorative event brought together diverse stakeholders in governance, academia, civil society, and youth leadership for a day of reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to Africa’s development.

Held at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, the event marked a moment of collective introspection on Africa’s journey, its triumphs, challenges, and the enduring spirit of its people. The 2025 theme drew from the African Union’s focus on justice for Africans and people of African descent, and echoed South Africa’s G20 presidency objective of fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.

In his opening remarks, Prof Mills Soko, Professor of International Business and Strategy at Wits Business School, highlighted the timeliness of the theme in the context of the 20^th G20 Summit, being hosted on African soil. Setting the tone for a day rich in insight and purpose, he underscored the importance of leveraging the global spotlight to elevate African priorities on justice and sustainable development.

Prof Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University and South Africa’s former Public Protector, reflected on the immense potential within Africa to address its challenges and contribute innovatively to global development. She encouraged a narrative shift that emphasises Africa’s capabilities and contributions rather than its struggles. “By fostering environments that nurture innovation and creativity, Africa can empower its youth to thrive and develop solutions tailored to local contexts.”

Prof Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director of the IJR, emphasised that the theme “Justice, Solidarity, Sustainability for Africa” reflects a firm commitment to moving toward unity and transforming exclusion into inclusive justice. Speaking on the imperative of justice for Africans, she noted that, “at the heart of this year’s theme is a bold and necessary demand — recognition, redress, and reparations for centuries of exploitation. Justice for Africans and people of African descent must go beyond symbolic gestures. It requires material, institutional, and psychological repair. Reparations are not about charity — they are about accountability, and about restoring dignity and equity to those who have been historically wronged.”

A dynamic panel of speakers enriched the programme, offering diverse perspectives grounded in Pan-African values and collective responsibility. Among them was Dr Nkosana Moyo, Founder and CEO of MINDS, who warned that, “if young people do not know our history, and what formed the foundation of our institutions, we are failing them.”

Dr Alice Mogwe, Director of the Botswana Centre for Human Rights, called for a stronger embrace of African-rooted philosophies, declaring that “our African normative values should be our starting point. We must amplify our voices and our Pan-African ideals.”

Resonating deeply with conversations on sustainability and African-led development, Ms Bongiwe Ndondo, Chief Executive Officer of Hlanganisa Community Fund, reminded participants that, “African philanthropy is not born out of surplus, but out of belief in a cause.”

Other distinguished speakers included Prof Catherine Namakula, Lecturer at the University of the Free State and human rights advocate; Kamala Dickson, Head of Pan-Africanism at SAYoF; and Prof Jacob Mati, Deputy Director at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment and an Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand’s Wits Business School.

The discussions explored how Africa could shape a regenerative future by grounding its development models in justice, solidarity, and sustainability, with speakers emphasising that cultural identity, intergenerational knowledge-sharing, and inclusive leadership were non-negotiable pillars in building a better Africa.

In closing, Ms Mwanja Ng’anjo, the IJR’s Head of Communications, reiterated the resounding message of the event: “Africa Day is not just a celebration; it is a call to action!” She emphasised that while the day invites us to reflect and honour the richness of our continent, it also urges us to craft solutions and pursue redress for past injustices. “Africa Day reminds us to live sustainably in the present, while building bridges for future generations to thrive in peace and solidarity,” she concluded.