Arts, culture and heritage lead the Africa Month festival of ideas
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) in conjunction with various government departments, civil societies, and private organisations continues the Africa Month celebrations. Celebrated under the theme; we are Africa - ‘Opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo’, the inaugural Africa month celebrations amongst others seeks to strengthen social, cultural, economic and political integration among African nations.
The month of May will provide a strategic platform and network for conversations about the African continent. As part of the celebrations, the Department has planned an exciting programme of activities place across the country through various forms of arts such as music, literature, theatre, visual arts, film, fashion, cuisines, seminars, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions.
The following activities that will take place between Wednesday, 13 May and Saturday, 16 May 2015 include:
- The Africa Month Lecture and Colloquium, titled “Writing Africa” that will take place on Wednesday, 13 May 2015 at Eastern Star Gallery, 4 Anglo African Street, Grahamstown. This is a collaboration between the DAC and the National English Literary Museum. The internationally acclaimed Nigerian writer, Helon Habila, will be in conversation with Prof Muxe Nkondo and Prof Kole Omotoso.
- South African Roadies Association (SARA) will host Africa’s first-ever Live Event Technical & Production Conference from 13 to 16 May 2015 at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg. Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa will open the conference on Thursday, 14 May.
- “We Are Africa” Design and Innovation Exhibition which will open on the 14th of May 2015 at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts in KZN. The exhibition will run until the 7th of June.
- We Are Africa Fashion Spectacular, where top South African fashion designers will join their Pan-African counterparts for two provincial WeAreAfrica Fashion Spectaculars to be hosted on 16 and 23 May 2015 in Nelspruit and Durban respectively
“We will use this period to promote African identity, entrench African values and ethics as well as strengthen existing collaborations in the continent. “We believe our programme will contribute to the attainment of the African Union’s vision 2063 which strives for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena,” said Minister Mthethwa.
Minister Mthethwa believes these month-long programmes will also strengthen culture and creative industries and their value-add in socio-economic development as well as provide a platform to promote the African Union institutions and policies.
As part of nurturing African Identity, the Department will also promotes the African Union flag and anthem during the month.
Government encourages all residents in the Republic of South Africa, the rest of the African continent and the African Diaspora to participate in the Africa Month activities.
Enquiries
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
