South Africa celebrates a decade of democracy and freedom in 2004, following its first all-inclusive elections on April 27, 1994. The elections ushered in a new government of national unity headed by President Nelson Mandela.
The UGA Africanists and African Students, in collaboration with the African Studies Institute, Center for Humanities and Arts and the Office of Institutional Diversity, will commemorate this milestone with an African celebration on Feb. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. The keynote address will be delivered by Mbulelo Mzamane, former UGA professor and chancellor of the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, and now a visiting professor and acting director in the Eskia Mphahlele Institute of African Studies at the University of Venda in South Africa. Other speakers include ambassadors from South Africa and Tanzania. UGA faculty, staff and students will also contribute to the program, through speeches, dance and music.
The African celebration will follow a two-day symposium on human rights and democratization in Africa to be held on the UGA campus from Feb. 18 to Feb. 20.
Both the African celebration and the symposium are open free to the public and will be held at Masters Hall in the Georgia Center.