News / National
Africa Day Festivities
03 Jun 2013 at 05:16hrs | Views
Scores of Africans converged at Malika House, 81 George St, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 1NS on Saturday 1st June, 2013 for a belated Africa Day Celebration event.
The lively event which was attended by people from all over the United Kingdom, of different political persuasions and different religious beliefs was organised by Nokutula Ncube, the Secretary for Arts & Culture of the Europe Province of the Zimbabwe African People's Union - ZAPU.
Delegates started arriving around mid-day and were immediately treated to a buffet of a variety of traditional African dishes amid throbbing African musical hits from a Disco ably manned by DJ Mthabisi Sibanda assisted by Tony Marumo and Thando Gumpo.
The main event kicked off at 13:00hrs with the evergreen Master of Ceremony (one of two), Arnold Ngwenya welcoming everybody, outlining the programme of the day and addressing housekeeping issues before leading the delegates in singing the African Anthem "God Bless African " which was also repeated in a number of African Languages.
Then burst in the duo of Nokutula Ncube and Susan Ndlovu with a traditional Zimbabwean song which saw the entire audience rise from their seats to join in the song and dance. It was to be a while before the Nokutula Ncube, having set the festive tone, was able to regain control of the floor and went about the business of introducing the guest speakers to the delegates.
Next to take to the podium was The Brethren In Christ Church Choir who, first led an opening prayer before leading the delegates in singing the African Anthem "God Bless African " which was also repeated in a number of African Languages. They then dished out a compelling gospel song to which everyone in the crowd joined.
An array of guest speakers was to follow, delivering one insightful and stimulating presentation after another, punctuated by brief periods of song and dance. They were Pan Africanist Tribe Mkwebu Esq., who spoke on "Africa at 50 – Views from a Pan Africanist", Human Rights Activist and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of ROHR Zimbabwe, Ms Grace Mupfurutsa whose topic was "Africa – Unpacking Her Gifts", leading academic and politician Dr Ralph Mguni who delivered "Challenges for Africa – A new vision", a respected member of the National People's Council of ZAPU, Ms Sakhile Sibanda who led a question and answer session centred on African affairs and Mr Christopher Maphosa who gave a vote of thanks soon after another scintillating performance by The Brethren In Christ Church Choir.
From then on it was "party time" and the combination of the creative and mesmerizing Master of Ceremony (second of two), Derick Maphosa, a budding gospel artist and the DJs kept the party spirit alive. The dance floor was always full of ladies dressed in colourful African attire and men children of varying ages often singing along to the tunes. Outside, a manned barbecue ensured the guests were kept well fed.
The event ended at around 10:00 pm with people still asking for more.
More photos >>
The lively event which was attended by people from all over the United Kingdom, of different political persuasions and different religious beliefs was organised by Nokutula Ncube, the Secretary for Arts & Culture of the Europe Province of the Zimbabwe African People's Union - ZAPU.
Delegates started arriving around mid-day and were immediately treated to a buffet of a variety of traditional African dishes amid throbbing African musical hits from a Disco ably manned by DJ Mthabisi Sibanda assisted by Tony Marumo and Thando Gumpo.
The main event kicked off at 13:00hrs with the evergreen Master of Ceremony (one of two), Arnold Ngwenya welcoming everybody, outlining the programme of the day and addressing housekeeping issues before leading the delegates in singing the African Anthem "God Bless African " which was also repeated in a number of African Languages.
Then burst in the duo of Nokutula Ncube and Susan Ndlovu with a traditional Zimbabwean song which saw the entire audience rise from their seats to join in the song and dance. It was to be a while before the Nokutula Ncube, having set the festive tone, was able to regain control of the floor and went about the business of introducing the guest speakers to the delegates.
Next to take to the podium was The Brethren In Christ Church Choir who, first led an opening prayer before leading the delegates in singing the African Anthem "God Bless African " which was also repeated in a number of African Languages. They then dished out a compelling gospel song to which everyone in the crowd joined.
An array of guest speakers was to follow, delivering one insightful and stimulating presentation after another, punctuated by brief periods of song and dance. They were Pan Africanist Tribe Mkwebu Esq., who spoke on "Africa at 50 – Views from a Pan Africanist", Human Rights Activist and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of ROHR Zimbabwe, Ms Grace Mupfurutsa whose topic was "Africa – Unpacking Her Gifts", leading academic and politician Dr Ralph Mguni who delivered "Challenges for Africa – A new vision", a respected member of the National People's Council of ZAPU, Ms Sakhile Sibanda who led a question and answer session centred on African affairs and Mr Christopher Maphosa who gave a vote of thanks soon after another scintillating performance by The Brethren In Christ Church Choir.
From then on it was "party time" and the combination of the creative and mesmerizing Master of Ceremony (second of two), Derick Maphosa, a budding gospel artist and the DJs kept the party spirit alive. The dance floor was always full of ladies dressed in colourful African attire and men children of varying ages often singing along to the tunes. Outside, a manned barbecue ensured the guests were kept well fed.
The event ended at around 10:00 pm with people still asking for more.
More photos >>
Source - Mandulo Pasichigare
