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All Media                                           22 May 2009            

Mpumalanga Celebrates Afrika Day

Mpumalanga will celebrate Afrika Day at the Barberton Coronation Rugby Field on 25 May through a feast of Cultural exchanges. Afrika Day will be celebrated under the theme: Mpumalanga Celebrating 2010 through Cultural Diversity.

Various African cultures will be on display through song and dance as a way of promoting unity and solidarity in Africa. This year’s Africa Day celebrations, as always, promise to deliver an exciting variety of continental talent.

This continental event promises to deliver an incredible variety of the diverse genres, sounds and rhythms that make up the amazing African continent. 

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 in mid June. Africa Day marks the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union) on May 25th 1963 which was aimed at providing a platform for the promotion of unity for independent African nations, as well as a support mechanism for liberation movements of colonized African nations.

Today, Africa Day serves as a day to celebrate African heritage and showcase the continent’s history and culture through the arts. It also offers us a moment to reflect on the upheaval we experienced last year around this period where our country was wracked by xenophobic attacks. This year, we are able to embrace our commitment to the African continent and our intertwined heritage in peace.

MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mr Vusi Shongwe will deliver a keynote address during the event.

                        For More Information Contact: Sammy Mpatlanyane

                                                                       (013) 766 5014

                                                                       082 923 0550