In a speech marking the event, President Jacob Zuma said that while the African continent should promote Afro-optimism, challenges such as possibly not meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline must be addressed.

Zuma called on Africa to reverse "self-hate and Afro-pessimism," saying, "We must promote the principles of self-love, Afro- optimism."

"We are now one people, and must work together for the betterment of the peoples of African descent, regardless of geographical borders."