(Pic: Ray Phiri will appear at the African Renaissance Africa Day Concert)
Festival to be hosted at venues in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay from May 25 to 30.
The 11th annual African Renaissance Festival will be hosted at venues in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay from May 25 to 30.
The festival will celebrate, debate and examine broader issues related to re-defining and rebuilding the African continent through accessing and developing its own rich social, economic and political resources.
It is a significant gathering of like-minded citizens of Africa as they share ideas with key decision-makers from around the country and abroad. The week-long festival sees delegates from around the globe including head of states, leaders in government and business, representatives from NGOs, civic structures, emerging entrepreneurs and local communities. The festival is held during the last week of May to coincide with Africa Day and is the only annual celebration of the African Renaissance ideals on the continent.
The theme adopted for this year’s African Renaissance is “Uniting the African World”, and will focus on the global economic crisis and its impact on Africa’s business, tourism and arts and culture sectors. The line-up of speakers for the conference includes distinguished and well known personalities as well as local and international specialists from both the private and public sectors.
Also under the spotlight throughout the festival is examining creative ways of addressing the global issue of moral regeneration – a challenge to faith-based leaders, secular and civic society and youth leadership.
The festival comprises a major two-day conference at the ICC on May 27 and 28, a Youth Pioneers Conference featuring 250 delegates representing various significant youth organisations on May 26; a seminar entitled Unity of Faith to be held on May 30 in Richards Bay looking at the role of the church in the African Renaissance and a celebratory, fund-raising banquet to be held at the ICC Durban, with the legendary Hugh Masekela providing entertainment on May 29.
The conference this year will unpack the business, arts and culture and tourism sectors in the context of the global economic downturn with a view to providing tangible outcomes. Relevant role-players in various sectors being represented have been tasked to co-ordinate these sessions including organised business including the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Trade and Investment KZN, tourism bodies including Tourism KZN and the Department of Arts and Culture. The format of the conference will include a plenary, sector sessions and a resolution and way forward session with a final report to a plenary.
The ever-popular African Renaissance Africa Day Concert will be held at the ICC Arena on May 25 at 18h00 and is open to the public. This year’s dazzling line-up includes Thandiswa Mazwai, former member of Bongo Maffin and hailed as this generation’s Mama Africa (Miriam Makeba); Oliver Mtukudzi (better known as “Tuku”), singer, songwriter and best selling artist in his home country, Zimbabwe, as well as the legendary Ray Phiri and Stimela.
Tickets are available to the public and prices have been kept low to ensure as many fans as possible can enjoy the musical feast. Tickets R50 throughout (no concessions) booked through Computicket.
For more information about the full African Renaissance programme contact reception@wozani.co.za or telephone 031 266 9792.
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