President Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa
Award-winning Rhoda Wilson will be amongst some of the world’s most influential politicians, head of state and business leaders specially invited to attend a special Gala Dinner hosted by President Zuma. The Gala Dinner will recognise the contribution that members of The African Diaspora has made to Africa, which the South African Government is proud to celebrate.
The Global African Diaspora Summit takes place in a year that is historically significant to Africa. Not only is 2012 the 10th anniversary of the launch of the African Union but it is also the year in which South Africa celebrated the centenary of the oldest liberation movement on the continent, the African National Congress.
The Global African Diaspora Summit is expected to endorse essential activities which will be undertaken after the Summit;
- The AU Diaspora Volunteer Programme which associate the Diaspora directly and urgently with the development efforts on the Continent and give concrete meaning to concept of one African family;
- An African Diaspora Development Fund and Remittances and Financial instruments;
- The development of a Skills Database of Diaspora Professionals;
- The adoption and promotion of the Development Market Place for an African Diaspora model as a framework to facilitate innovation and develop entrepreneurship to empower the youth of the Continent and her Diaspora; as well as
- Transport infrastructure and agriculture, land and rural development.
The continent values the significant role the African Diaspora played in the struggles against colonialism and apartheid. The South African government continues to perceive the Diaspora as vital in the pursuit for a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
The Summit will be attended by delegations from the member states of the African Union and her diaspora, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the MERCOSUR (The Southern Common Market), the Community of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Arab League.
Nigerian-Born Rhoda Wilson will be one of a number of influential figure heads from the Diaspora in attendance at the Global Summit. In 2012 Rhoda was shortlisted in the Wise Women Awards and the Women for Africa Awards for her services to Media in the UK. In 2009 Rhoda Wilson won “Best TV Presenter” at the BEFFTA Awards in London; a tremendous honour. Rhoda was profiled in the media world of MIPTV in Cannes and AFRICAST in Abuja, Nigeria in 2010. In 2011 Rhoda was listed as one of the top 20 most inspirational Women from the African Diaspora by ADIPWE, amongst some of the world’s most esteemed creatives, entrepreneurs and professionals. In 2007 Rhoda Wilson founded the African and Caribbean Women’s Achievement and Leadership Foundation, another example of the formidable nature of Rhoda’s talents.
Notes to editor
Information about the summit:
http://www.globaldiasporasummit.org/
http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/2012/african_diaspora0521.html
High Resolutions are available upon request
