Leaders and ordinary citizens have called for peace as the continent celebrates Africa Day.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura and MECs are jointly hosting Africa Day celebrations with the African diaspora forum in Yeoville.
Makhura says it’s not enough to reject xenophobic violence, but stereotypes and prejudiced attitudes must be eradicated as well.
“This is our continent and we are one Africa. On a day like this we say we must continue to work together. Every part of the continent; let’s make our cities thrive, let’s make Africans feel at home on their own continent.”
A host events have been organised to commemorate Africa Day in and around Johannesburg this week.
Celebrating poets, musicians, fashion designers, dancers and fine artists around the continent, the Sanaa Africa Festival is one such hub of activity with a full programme that kicks off on Wednesday.
The annual event, which is in its seventh year, has found a new venue and will take place at St Stithians Girls College in Sandton from 25 to 28 May.
Speaking on some of the highlights, founder and director Nonhlanhla Matshazi says, “The highlights I think this year, will be the dance element of the festival. We have put together a production called Borders which has never been seen before. The whole concept is about breaking down the various borders and boundaries that separate us as Africans and deconstructing the notion of otherness.”
The performance choreographed by Fana Tshabalala will be performed in collaboration with Thulani Chauke, Mcintosch Jerahuni and Matanayne on Friday.
High-end art by 30 artists, including Helena Hugo, Pauline Gutter and the late Dumisani Mabaso, will be on sale throughout the festival with all revenue going directly to the artists.
In an attempt to create spaces for dialogue, growth and development platforms as well as showcasing the best poets Africa has to offer, the poetry programme will include Nova Masango, Lebo Mashile and Ewok Robinson.
There will also be fashion Sshow which will be curated by Wayne Stafford and fashion blogger Mathlatse James, with a collection of work from five emerging and six established designers, including Sun Goddess and Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs.
The festival will end with three South African acts, the Delivery Boys, Liquid Deep and Mango Groove.
Africa Day is celebrated annually on 25 May within the African continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963.
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