The 25 May marks the formation of the Africa Union, the predecessor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). But the day is not only about commemorating the OAU. It’s also about celebrating the ideals behind it equality, justice and the development of all countries within Africa.
The Alliance for Refugees in South Africa (Afri-South Africa) has been celebrating the occasion since 2005 with hugely popular cultural events and this year will be no different.
In light of last year’s horrific xenophobic attacks, the alliance has compiled a programme that hopes to draw together all Africans in South Africa. The 2009 event is aimed at promoting an integrated Africa.
The Africa Day programme begins with a poetry workshop the Centre for the Book, Queen Victoria Street Cape Town, on the 16 and 17 May 2009. A poetry competition, with the theme “Africans United in Diversity,” has been underway over the last two months and those participating in the workshops were selected from entries received.
The workshops are aimed at developing individual writing and performance styles of the participants and will be facilitated by leading Cape Town performance poets Primrose Mrwebi, Khadija Heeger and Winslow Schalkwyk. Successful participants will then present their poetry Saturday 23 May 2009 at the Centre for the Book at 13h00. This part of the process is open to the public.
All the poets who attend the workshops will be published in a poetry anthology in commemoration of Africa Day. The winning poets will then perform at a gala event at The Southern Sun hotel, Strand Street, Cape Town, on the 23 May 2009.
The gala will feature poets, performances by various African cultural groups, Frank Paco from Mozambique, Ladjie Kante from Mali, Nkoba Zambogo from Uganda, Coda from South Africa, Dizu Plaatjies from South Africa and keynote speakers (drumming, singing, dancing etc, also who are groups, if well known might draw/ interest people) who will address issues of diversity and unity amongst Africans.
Alliance for refugees in South Africa, provincial government and the city of Cape Town are partnering in this venture to promote social cohesion, spirit of Ubuntu and propagate the 2010 sports legacy.
Eight teams from other African countries and eight teams from different South African communities will play in a mini league on inflated pitches on the 30 May 2009 to conclude the Africa month; this event takes place at Gugulethu sports complex.
Provisions
* Giant inflatable soccer pitch
* Junior inflatable soccer pitch
* Western Cape Football Ambassadors
* Mini Goal Post (Seniors street football)
About Afri-South Africa
Afri-South Africa was founded on 30 April 2005 by refugees from different African countries under the leadership of Mr George Pambason. The refugees are mainly from those countries that are affected by war, ethnical conflicts and political unrest.
In 2005, Afri-South Africa began to put together a cultural expo as a starting point of celebrating the ideals embodied in the OAU charter.
The 2007 expo, which was held at the Cape Town civic centre, attracted 10 000 people each day. In 2008 a national conference was convened by Afri-South Africa in conjunction with the provincial government at the Ritz Hotel. This was followed by a two day expo in the company gardens.
For further information:
George Pambason
Alliance for Refugees
Mobiles: 072 883 4781 / 072 292 1581 / 083 746 5337
Tel: 021 421 2348/0111
E-mail: gpambason@yahoo.com
Issued by: Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Provincial Government
21 May 2009
Source: Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)
