Throngs of Africans will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Africa Day that had its roots in the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity, now known as the African Union.
Johannesburg will be no exception when it unleashes a crème de la crème array of intra-continental artists to mark this important day.
The biggest African party happens tomorrow at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg, when the festival kicks off.
Kick-starting the music extravaganza are Senegalese troubadour Ismael Lo, Zimbabwe’s Chiwoniso, Cote d’Ivoire’s Dobet Gnahore, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mapumba and South Africa’s globetrotting legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Preceding the broadcast are performances by Mahotella Queens, Australia’s White Cockatoo and the amazing Sarakasi Kenyan acrobats.
The concert will be beamed live to the entire continent by SABC2 and SABC Africa from 8pm to 10.30pm.
On Sunday, the party moves to Mofolo Park in Soweto for another free concert featuring Ismael Lo, Chiwoniso, Dobet Gnahore and White Cockatoo.
Also on offer is an African crafts fair showcasing the elegance and beauty of Africa’s creativity. It forms part of Harambe Afrika Celebrate!, which is funded by the Kellogg Foundation. Crafts from Botswana, Swaziland, DRC, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa will be exhibited at Museum Africa.
A Battle of the Bands with Soweto’s untapped talent and the anti-xenophobia workshop are some of the activities that will ensure Africans not only enjoy themselves, but also bond. The winning group will perform alongside the Africa Day concert at Mofolo Park.
Also on offer is the Africa on Screen Film Festival in association with Red Flag, courtesy of Amarula
The 5th yearly Metrorail Night of The Legends Music Concert will treat fans to the world’s greatest musical couples tomorrow and Sunday at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino in Cape Town and the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg respectively.
Chill to the sounds of Womack and Womack (UK), Ashford and Simpson and Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore (US) and our own Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu.