The timing of this year’s African Music Ensembles Lunch Hour
Concert which is being held today (May 11) comes at an interesting historical
moment in Durban in particular, and South Africa in general.
Dr Patricia Achieng Opondo, director of the African Music
Project. Explains:
“April was a time marked by Xenophobic violence, and
targeting of sections of the African immigrant communities in Durban,” “The
extreme violence and fear lasted over two weeks, but Durban communities came
together united in a common effort to restore peace and harmony. A Peace March
was led by municipal and provincial political leadership with a strong campaign
to say NO TO XENOPHOBIA. Our short skit and poems in the concert echo those
exact sentiments. The AMD Program were part of a peace march and concert held
on the Howard College Campus in April, as we marched together with the SRC and
UKZN International in the quest to boldly state that UKZN Says NO TO
XENOPHOBIA.
The timing of the concert during the second week of May is
also important, as South Africa has declared the month of May, Africa Month,
thus once again, the African Music and Dance Program (AMD), stands together in
common purpose to celebrate our diversity, yet commonalities as descendants of
our blessed continent, Africa.
The music and dance items in our Lunch Hour Concert are
composed and choreographed by Team AMD to celebrate that diversity which is
reflected in both our staff component and student profile. Team AMD comes
together to make a joyful noise in celebration of South Africa, Botswana,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya. Through our creative talents we are able
to come together and build bridges, expressing our purpose and vision through
our voices, our choreographies, playing instruments, and through spoken word.
ASANTENI SANA!!
Indeed as part of our social responsibility Team AMD visited
the camp set up in Isipingo for individuals who fled their homes in Durban, as
they had been living in fear. We listened to their laments and desire for
peace. Their struggles make us appreciate that we each indeed have shelter,
warmth, food and community, so in the spirit of UBUNTU and HARAMBEE, we join
hands as we sing UMOJA – AFRICA UNITE!!”
Come enjoy a great marimba band, lots of creative
choreographies and compositions by Team AMD in a program that includes
Congolese dance, Gumboot dance and Ngoma dance, poetry and percussion.
The free lunch-hour concert takes place today (May 11) from 12h15
to 13h00 in Howard College Theatre.