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Friday, November 4, 2016

ESSENCE DURBAN® FESTIVAL



(Durban-based Zoe the Seed will appear on the programme)

The first Durban ESSENCE Festival® will take place from November 8 to 13 and offers an extensive and highly impressive programme as well as a splendid line-up of performers

ESSENCE Durban®, the sister festival to the New Orleans Fourth of July weekend extravaganza in NOLA, will showcase international performers, world-famous speakers, and local artists and experts. It will also pump up small businesses through empowerment seminars, career-guidance workshops and other programming.

"New Orleans and Durban are sister cities, and we are thrilled to present these sister festivals—both in 2016," said ESSENCE® President Michelle Ebanks. "As ESSENCE converges on Durban during South Africa's beautiful summer season, we are creating a week-long experience that will inspire women globally and convene our communities across the diaspora."

Speaking at the Durban International Convention Centre earlier this week, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said: “We have worked tirelessly over the past few months in preparing for this festival and we are confident that this event will be a huge success.”

The line-up of top stars includes Hip-Hop, R & B, House, and more - from across Africa and the USA. The programme features international superstar Ne Yo, hot Nigerian sensations Wiz Kid and Burna Boy with top South African talent Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, AKA, Big Nuz, Babes Wodumo and many more. A not-to-be-missed festival extravaganza to rock everyone`s beat! Booking for the concerts is at Computicket.

It is estimated that the six-day event at the Durban ICC, Exhibition Centre and Moses Mabhida Stadium has created about 5,000 job opportunities to the people of eThekwini.

For more information and the full programme visit http://www.essence.com/festival/essence-festival-durban