T.I.A: Africa Day celebrations in Jozi

This month we celebrate Africa Day. Unlike most special days that I don’t take this too seriously, because some of the things celebrated, if are important to you should be a part of your life everyday. Africa Day is a little different I guess, because it is celebrated in different ways around the world – All things African brought to the forefront and embraced and basically a showcasing of the continent’s history and culture through the arts. Lets just hope someone somewhere is learning a little bit more about ‘this far off place’ as Anderson Cooper calls it.

In Jozi on 23 May there’ll be a big concert in Newtown (ofcourse) and the line up has me super excited, as always talent from around the continent hook us up with some fantastic entertainment. This year I’m most definitely looking forward to Nigerian born songstress Asa who will be gracing us her with her soulful sounds on the day.  I heard she was in the country sometime in 2008, but I missed her, and worse still I missed out on her show while we were both in Paris, so I’m going to make sure I make my way downtown next weekend

Other artists include Senegalese hip-hop pioneer Awadi, Benin’s Gang’be, South Africa’s own Gang of Instrumentals, the Soweto Gospel Choir and The Parlotones as well as some Lusophone flavor provided by Angolan, Yuri da Cunha.

And in other news: In recognition of another monumental African milestone, Africa Day will also serve as a countdown to the upcoming Confederations Cup, which is set to kick off in South Africa on June 14th – 28th. For 9 days during that period, Mary Fitzgerald Square will be transformed into the only official Confederations Cup Public Viewing Site, where soccer lovers can catch the matches on big screens and enjoy performances from local and international artists, for free, courtesy of the City of Joburg. The coincidence is especially meaningful in light of the fact that these soccer events are taking place on the African continent for the first time, and represent an opportunity for Africa’s humanity and intertwined heritage and future to shine. Soccer is a sport that every African nation has in common – it a huge unifier, and South Africa proudly declares ‘Ke Nako!’ It’s our time to host the world most prestigious soccer events! Thanks ArtZone

The Africa Day show on Mary Fitzgerald Square (Saturday, May 23rd) and is free to the public.