What has so far been an issue-driven build-up to the launch of the African Union (AU), unfolding amid tight security under Durban's busy skyline over the last week, will come alive when the new organisation is finally born and baptised at the ABSA Stadium in true African style.
It promises to be a spectacular show of unity of African states after a week of behind-the-scenes skirmishes, with delegates trying to ensure that their individual countries win control of the AU.
Up for grabs are the AU's organs which African regions are vying to host, including the Pan African Parliament - for which Libya is understood to have already built facilities in anticipation of winning the bid - the African Court of Justice, the Peace and Security Council and the AU's Commission, which will replace the OAU's secretariat.
Close to 50 African heads of state gathered in Durban ton Monday. A notable absentee is President Marc Ravalomanana of Madagascar, excluded because the OAU considers his win in December elections as illegitimate, even though he has been recognised as head of state by the United States, France, Germany and other western nations.
The final summit of the OAU, formed as African states won their independence, was set to start at 11am on Monday.
It will be followed on Tuesday and Wednesday by the inaugural summit of the AU, a body loosely modelled on the European Union which will have a Peace and Security Council authorised to send in a stand-by peacekeeping force drawn from African armies in the event of any conflict involving crimes against humanity.
The AU, which will eventually have its own central bank and court of justice, will work toward the creation of an African Economic Community and, eventually, a single currency.
The internationally-linked Jubilee South Africa is due to stage a protest meeting at Hoy Park and then marches are due to picket the International Convention Centre where the AU conference is being held on Monday.
Jubilee South Africa is part of a worldwide movement formed to agitate for the richest nations to write off their debts from poverty-stricken countries - Sapa-AFP
