ROTARY International Zone 22 has announced an unprecedented line-up of over 90 speakers including heads of state, Rotary representatives, African business leaders and leading visionaries, pioneers, and icons for its virtual two-day Centennial Conference.
Taking place on 24 and 25 April, Rotary International President Holger Knaack will welcome the hundreds of delegates expected to attend online from around the world. He will be joined by the likes of South African storyteller, Dr Gcina Mhlope, Kenyan designer and eco-innovator Anyango Mpinga and Dr Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee who was last year named as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.
“The excellent panels and keynote speakers secured for this milestone celebration are testament to the significance and value placed on the work done by Rotary over the last 100 years in seeking solutions to some of the Africa’s most pressing humanitarian challenges,” says District Governor Annemarie Mostert, Chairperson of the 2021 African Centennial Celebrations who will also officially open the proceedings.
Topics to be discussed on Day 1 include strategic community economic development for poverty alleviation, solving Africa’s twin deficit in education, partnerships in controlling epidemics in Africa, and a discussion on the future of peacekeeping on the continent.
Day 2 sees a spokesperson from African Development Bank address the factors and solutions to Africa’s water and sanitation crisis, as well as an in-depth discussion on innovation for maternal and child health in Africa, led by UN Women representative Anne Githu-Shongwe.
The programme culminates in a look at tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges and how young people can help to secure a better future for Africa.
Adding to the highlights of entertainment by the Soweto String Quartet and the Ndlovu Youth Choir, will be a personal message from Bill Gates, representing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to acknowledge the great work done by Rotary in Africa.
For a full programme and list of speakers, and to find out more about the Zone 22 Rotary Africa Centennial International Conference, go to https://www.rotary9400.org.za/sitepage/rotary-africa-centennial
