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ROMOTING unity across the African continent is becoming one of the main agendas for the Department of Arts and Culture. Their 2017 mandate, “Building a Better Africa And a Better World”, is being advanced by several African-themed events throughout the year.

The Africa Day Celebrations at the Joburg Theatre today and tomorrow are a big part of their plans. The Africa Day Celebrations’ music programme will be headlined by Ivorian multi-Grammy awardwinning drummer Paco Séry; African collective Mahube, South African singer-songwriter, Nathi; as well as South African indie rock band, The Parlotones. Roshnie Moonsammy, the event’s project co-ordinator, gave us some insight into what is taking place today and tomorrow.

“The music is fantastic. In a time when a lot of people are consuming DJ music, it’s really nice to see great musicianship and people enjoying live music being played. Not covers and remixes, but original music.”

Literature, poetry and dialogue sessions will also be held as part of the extended run on June 13 and 14 prior to Youth Day. Poet, essayist, playwright and anthology editor, Claudia Rankine will be sharing her work and insight at these sessions. Her work is largely centred on addressing and highlighting racial issues.

In terms of the inspiration behind bring music, literature, poetry and dialogue together for these celebrations, Moonsammy explained: “I think that they all interconnect and that music and literature are very important in terms of Africa Month. The music and literature is so rich in Africa and the diaspora and we need to bring that together.”

She talked me through the African Women Writers’ Network and how that had been a success through its annual symposium. “The past two years have been fantastic. Young people want to engage and they come out in numbers. At last year’s talk the Soweto Theatre was packed. Not just by Sowetans, NATHI everybody came from Joburg by car or Uber.”

Tickets are available at Webtickets.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Joburg Theatre – The Mandela stage Tonight:

Paco Séry and the African Beat (West Africa/Paris); Nathi (SA) 8pm. R120

Tomorrow:

Mahube (Zim/SA/Moz) Paco Séry and the African Beat (West Africa/Paris); The Parlotones (SA) 8pm. R150

LITERATURE PROGRAMME

This is free to the public. Refreshments and snacks provided.

Masterclass Workshop with Claudia Rankine. The importance of writing; unpacking the racial imagination and going beyond. Joburg Theatre, Space.com Tuesday, June 13, 2pm

Panel discussion: What is A Decolonised Africa? Young Writers’ Perspectives. Joburg Theatre, Space.com. Tuesday, June 13, 6.30pm

Talk by Claudia Rankine: Deconstructing Culture, Race and Privilege: Black Lives Matter Soweto, Soweto Theatre Wednesday, June 14, 6.30pm. Free transport will be provided from Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein. Booking for transport and the talk is essential.