The Africa Day festivities are almost upon us, and with that come a host of celebratory events that will ensure that Joburg is abuzz with African flavour.
Brought to Johannesburg by the Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Jo'burg and the SABC2, this year's Africa Day programme offers a feast of African music, dance, cuisine and crafts.
Under the theme: Africa and her children celebrate the Confederation Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Africa Day festivities will start with an event for children on Saturday, 23 May 2009 at the Union Buildings Southern Lawns, Pretoria. The components of the event will include soccer matches, performances by Gang'be Brass Band from Benin and a kiddies' interactive corner where children will be face painted with flags of nations participating in the Confederations Cup.
Later in the evening of 23 May 2009, Newtown's Mary Fitzgerald Square will host the annual Africa Day concert, featuring Nigeria's Asa, Yuri of Angola, brass band Gang'Be from Benin, South Africa's own Soweto Gospel Choir, Gang of Instrumentals and the Parlotones. Attendance of the concert is free of charge.
Other Africa Day activities:
Date: Saturday, 23 May 2009 – (immediately after the concert, all free and open to the public).
* Cappello's restaurant, DJ's China, Otto, Rizzler and Lulo Café will kick off festivities after the concert.
* Bassline – Africa Day Bash - featuring DJ Oskido and MTN exploded DJ Mindgame.
Date: 22 May 2009
* Niki's Oasis, Khaya Mahlangu and the Sharp 5 Band of Benin. Doppio Zero will keep the jazz fires burning with the Stix Hojene Jazz B on the 23 May 2009.
* Sophiatown Bar Lounge on the 22 May 2009, Craft market, poetrys Jessica and Ngwenyama and DJ M22. Xarra Books will launch a book titled "The Chimurenga Protocal" by Dr Nyaradzo Mtizira Nondo.
* Ko'Spotong , Newtown 23 May 2009, Kospotong will provide a more musical offering in performances from Pop Idol's finalist Rethabile and DJ's Hudson and Platinum.
Oppenheimer Gardens in Central Western Jabavu (next to Jabulani Hostel), 23 May 2009 from 10h00.
Indlamu and Scathamiya: visual art exhibition and performances by from Jabulani, Merafe, Dobsonville, Dube, Nancefield and Mzimhlope hostels. The Oppenheimer Gardens will also play host to a visual art exhibition of artists from Soweto.
Regina Mundi Church 24 May 2009 from 15h00
Regina Mundi will host the Messiah concert on Sunday, 24 May 2009 to add a spiritual component to the Africa Day weekend. The concert is an interpretation of the classic Handel's 'Messiah', translated into the 11 South African languages by renowned musician Michael Masote.
Chris Hani Stadium (Orange Farm) 23 May 2009 from 10h00
The stadium will be the site of an explosion of African dance, poetry, fashion and crafts. Taking place from 10h00 on Saturday, 23 May 2009, this event is free to the public and encompasses traditional Zulu Dance, gumboot Dance, a fashion exhibition, Indian dance, and crafts from a range of African nations, amongst them Cameroon, the Congo, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Joburg Promusica Theatre
A Brazilian cultural group Afro Reggae will teach participants how to perform and play Samba music and other Brazilian music genres.
African Cultural Museum, Pretoria (25 May 2009) at 10h00.
Symposium under theme: Unifying Africa through Education and Culture.
"The African Union has declared that the theme for Africa Day 2009 is 'celebrating Africa through education and culture. We believe that the Africa Day events speak directly to that imperative. The various events planned on and around Africa day are an exemplar of Africa's diversity, vibrancy and the richness of our heritage. Whether it's music and dance at Ivory Park, or the incredible exhibition of African artefacts at Museum Africa, our culture and heritage are being showcased in all their breathtaking diversity and beauty.
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is proud to support an event that encompasses the breadth of African excellence through the arts to such stunning effect" said Ms Rosemary Mangope, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of Arts and Culture."
Media enquiries:
Mack Lewele
Department of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 450 50 76
For further information, please contact:
Marang Setshwaelo
Dreamcatcher
Tel: 011 447 5655
Cell: 082 599 1802
E-mail: Marang@dreammultimedia.co.za
Matsepo Monyatsi
Tel: 011 447 5655
E-mail: Dreamcatcher@dreammultimedia.co.za
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
20 May 2009
