Online Reporter
Nkosilathi Sibanda and Nkosizile Ndlovu
A SPIRIT of African unity and cultural pride is echoing through New Magwegwe Shopping Centre in Bulawayo, where scores of community members are gathered for colourful Africa Day celebrations marked by music, dance and traditional festivities.
The event will spill into the night and is characterised by music, dance and poetry.
Families, youths and arts lovers have gathered for the community cultural showcase that has transformed the usually quiet shopping centre into a vibrant festival of African identity and celebration.
By mid-afternoon, the venue was already packed, with revellers singing along, dancing and as different artistes took turns to entertain the enthusiastic crowd.
The event has attracted some of Bulawayo’s top creative talents, with legendary Afro-jazz musician Jeys Marabini expected to headline the celebrations alongside performers such as Fab G, Mzistoz, Charles Mahlaba, Sunduza Arts, Mr Bones among others.
Traditional dancers and poets will also add flavour to the celebrations, in what has so far been a showcase of different aspects of African heritage and township culture.
Arts promoter and Wasu Enterprises founder Blessing “Wasu” Mareya applauded the people of Bulawayo for continuously supporting local talent and community arts initiatives.
“We are happy with the support that people have shown today. Africa Day is important because it reminds us of who we are as Africans and the need to celebrate our culture, music and heritage,” said Mareya.
“Our artistes need support from communities. When people come in large numbers like this, it motivates creatives to continue working hard and preserving our culture.”
Mareya said the celebrations were also meant to create opportunities for local artistes to perform before home crowds while promoting unity and peace through the arts.
The atmosphere at the venue remained electric throughout the day, with food stalls, cultural displays and music creating a carnival-like mood in the suburb.
Residents described the event as a welcome platform that brings entertainment closer to communities while giving young artistes exposure.
“This is beautiful for us as people of Magwegwe. We are celebrating Africa through music and culture right here in our community,” said one reveller, Nomsa Dube.
Observed annually on May 25, Africa Day celebrates the continent’s unity, rich cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of Africa’s liberation struggles.
derick.khumalo