×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Clarion call for Africa to unite

THEATRE producer and actor Mncedisi Shabangu says South Africans need to stop thinking that this country is not part of the African continent.

The established stage practitioner voiced his concern when speaking about the coming Sanaa Africa Festival. The African cultural festival will be staged to celebrate the Africa Day.

He says festivals such as Sanaa should be used to encourage unity among Africans and to embrace each other's culture. As part of the festival Shabangu will present his funny yet controversial play, Vuka Machel, at theSanaa Theatre Hall in the Shine Studios, Braamfontein.

"First of all we need to be proud that we live in Africa and celebrate being African. In my view, Africa Day is more important that the June 16 and our Freedom Day."

Shabangu says he decided to bring back Vuka Machel to commemorate the life of late Mozambican president Samora Machel.

As someone who comes from Nelspruit, not far from where Machel's accident happened, he remarks that the ruling party is not doing enough to honour Machel.

"I feel like he has been treated like a dong. He did a lot for the ruling party."

Brenda Sisane of SP!N Productions says the idea behind the festival is to create an event that gives exposure to a cross section of the vastly multicultural creative talents of Africa, ranging from visual art, craft, dance, song, storytelling, film and other cultural offerings.

All the activities will take place from tomorrow to Sunday at Shine Studios in Braamfontein.

Art curator Daniel Mosako says the Sanaa Africa Exhibition helps to level the playground and creates unparalleled parity for all artists based on their skill and talent, without grey scale classifications of taught or self-taught artists.

Fashion labels such Ephymol, House of Olé, Liz Ogumbo, Naked Ape, Rubicon, Palse Homme, Gugulam, Sylvester Falata will showcase the African-inspired garments.

Stage and television actress, Warona Seane, will present her new offering Sweet Summer Juice.

Seasoned choreographer and dancer Gregory Maqoma will present a work called Umnikelo (Offering) to celebrate the Africa Day.

"This piece will take audiences on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual connection much like the process of worshipping some deity or God in the hope of influencing events that are critical to the well-being of the individual as well as the community. In this pious act of willing submission towards a deity or a force beyond physical comprehension, humans in the ancient world would create organised chaos reflective of the perennial conflict of the mind."

On the music side, Ringo Madlingozi and Dorothy Masuku will be entertaining.

Masuku says she will use this platform to showcase the versatility as a musician.

She believes that youth should be involved in such cultural events in order to know "who we are as Africans".

"I will present my diversified sound which is Marabi, jazz and mbaqanga.

"I know a lot of youth don't understand these music sounds."

For more information on the festival visit the festival's website at www.ticketbreak

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.