On the 9^th of July, AHS members have found a reason to celebrate. It is an evening earmarked to celebrate the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup by South Africa. This is a day spared for those who want to become part of the builders of Africa.

In deed against all odds, and with a lot of conflicting and urgent national challenges – like poverty, unemployment and falling educational standards -  a nation was pulled together and worked towards providing world class facilities for the world’s biggest sporting event.

Despite our expectations from all the six African teams that took part in the competition, we remain proud that our representatives gave their all. Of course Ghana deserves a mention for their stubborn display of tenacity, skill and discipline. Despite their eventual defeat, we all remember their determination and fighting spirit. And for being the youngest team in this competition, we should salute their heroic performance.

Therefore, in celebrating 2010’s major sporting event, we should identify those areas of living that make us all human, passionate and emerge out of our challenges in tremendous unison. It is up to us to make this rare African unity short-lived or perennial. With the heat of the moment still on us, what will stop us from riding on the wave of our success and create new forays into more areas of strength?

Who do we look up to? Ourselves, I would declare. We have the duty to build a new consensus for our  continent, something bigger than ourselves, something that causes us to drop everything and unite, something that humbles us, something as close to that as possible.

The 9^th of July is set with that in mind. DRC is 50 years old, and so is Nigeria and other 15 African states. Yet South Africa, Africa’s youngest democracy has become home to many of us. How can each African country achieve the best for its people? Africa looks to its people for what will become of it. Where are we looking at for what will become of us?

Amongst us will be individuals who have turned 50 years of age in 2010, among them Mutumwa Mawere – an avid contributor and prominent African businessman who is credited with several successful initiatives across economic spectrum. He is also a founder and Chairman of AHS, an organisation that he capably leads and inspires. As we recognise the countries that have made it into 50 years of self-rule, we should also embrace those who have weathered 50 years of existence amidst all the danger and promise.

Let’s meet at FashionTV, Village Walk, Sandton, on the evening of the 9^th of July and share an African experience. We all have to be there; we all must be there. Africa, rise and shine.