Tuesday, July 9, 2002, Durban South Africa. A new landmark date in Africa's postcolonial history. It follows on the path of the now defunct OAU, which was created some 39 years ago when in May 1963, thirty-two independent African States, who had real hopes and aspirations for their continent and countries, came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to launch the Organization of African Unity (OAU).The new African Union (AU) is composed of 53 nations and has become a reality in a new world that has been rather merciless for the African continent. The goals of the new organization foretell of the mammoth task that awaits the new body. Its task, bluntly, is to bring to front a new era of democratic as well as economic development to the empoverished continent."We as Africans have a common and a shared destiny. Together we must redefine this destiny for a better life for all the people of this continent," said Thabo Mbeki, the South African president on Tuesday in a crowded stadium in the beautiful... Read  More...