As we commemorate Youth Month and 30 years of democracy in our country, one can only envision a borderless Africa where we celebrate the dream of a unified continent where barriers dissolve, fostering unity, collaboration, and shared prosperity.

In May, the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Theology and Religion hosted Dr Elias Malete, Senior Lecturer in African Languages within the Faculty of The Humanities, to commemorate Africa Month on the Bloemfontein Campus. The event was themed ‘Envisioning a Borderless Africa’, which aligns with the universal theme, ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom: Building a Better Africa and a Better World’, highlighting the potential of a connected Africa to advance theological and religious studies, promote peace, and enhance cultural understanding across nations.

Dr Malete said that the idea of a borderless Africa is not merely an ideal dream, but a practical framework for advancing economic integration, enhancing political stability, and promoting social cohesion among the various countries on our continent. “This celebration serves as a reminder of African nations' shared heritage and common destiny. It calls upon scholars, students, and leaders to envision and work towards an Africa where borders no longer hinder economic integration, infrastructure development, political cooperation, and cultural exchange, but where freedom and unity lead to collective growth and prosperity.”

Reflecting the UFS’ vision of societal impact, the proverb ‘charity begins at home’ fittingly illustrates how the concept of a borderless Africa seeks to transform the entire continent, promoting unity, economic growth, and socio-political stability. Dr Malete highlighted the steps the university has already taken in this direction.

“We have already begun as a university to remove various barriers that hinder our progress through cultural exchange and unity. Through collaboration with the Academy for Multilingualism, the UFS Language Policy has been translated into three languages: Sesotho, Afrikaans, and isiZulu, enabling our youth to understand better and contribute to the educational system.”

He emphasised that addressing socio-economic challenges on our continent can be achieved through education, leadership skills, collaboration, and strategic planning. This vision of a borderless Africa promises to transform our collective future into one of shared success and prosperity.