President Jacob Zuma will officiate at the National Day of Prayer and Launch of Africa Month event to be held at Absa Stadium in Durban on 22 May 2016.

Religious leaders and leaders of civil society formations will join government in praying for the further consolidation of democracy, national unity, social cohesion as well as successful and peaceful 2016 local government elections. Government will host the event through the Department of Arts and Culture, supported by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as Water and Sanitation, as the prayer service will also include prayers for rain and the promotion of water conservation under the persistent drought conditions.

The event will also serve as the launch of the Africa Month celebrations which will take place during the month of May. From last year, government decided to organise activities in May to mark Africa Month, to promote unity, cohesion and prosperity in the African continent. The 2016 Africa month celebrations will be held under the theme: “Building a Better Africa and a Better World” and the sub-theme: “There Shall be Peace and Friendship”.

The Department of Arts and Culture is coordinating the national programme. The Africa month activities, which will be implemented by various government departments and provinces, will promote and showcase African renewal and renaissance, African and African arts and culture, economic development in the continent as well as African sports and recreation.

This year’s Africa Month celebrations will reflect on the tragic events last year in parts of Durban and Johannesburg where some foreign nationals, especially those from the African continent, were tragically attacked.

The prayer service will promote unity and peaceful co-existence and encourage communities to continue fighting xenophobia and intolerance.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa