Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka at Soweto Theatre in celebration of Africa Month
Joburg City Theatres in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture celebrate Africa Month with a series of special events between Soweto and Joburg Theatre honouring African music and writers from May 20-30 2016.
Joburg City Theatres CEO, Ms Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema says, “This gathering of African intellectuals from Cape to Cairo aims to stimulate and rekindle the African renaissance that many of us have cherished for years. At its core, it is a meeting of minds through words and the vibrant melodies of our continent; calling for us to continue to fight for democracy and freedom from all forms of oppression and exploitation”.
Africa Day salutes the continent’s achievements and affirms its vision to create a better life for all. The vision of the African Union is that of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa,” driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
During Africa Month (May 2016) countries are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity and wealth of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the African Continent.
Featuring the continent’s wealth in literature, rhythms, dance and song, this diverse and exciting programme salutes Africa’s musical and literary giants, with iconic Ghanian author, Ama Ata Aidoo, Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka (Nigeria) and Egypt’s Mona Eltahawy, author of the hard hitting ‘Hymens and Headscarves.” The music programme will feature the inimitable Jimmy Dludlu, Zamajobe and a special programme of Zimbabwean rhythms and song with singers Selmor Mtukudzi, Tariro neGitare, guitarists Louis Mhalanga, Tendai Manasta and much more.
On Monday 30 May The Department of Arts and Culture in conjunction with the African Independent Newspaper and Press Club SA hosts Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka at Soweto Theatre at 6.30pm. The discussion will be centred around Politics, Culture and the New African.
Enquiries for Soyinka Talk contact Wandi Nkosi: africamonthcolloquiam@gmail.com or Nonceba Ntintili: urbanart10@gmail.com. Entrance to all literary talks is free to the public. Please rsvp directly to Nonceba Ntintili: urbanart10@gmail.com
Professor Wole Soyinka is one of Africa’s most famous literary figures. He is the first African to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Soyinka has been a strong critic of successive Nigerian governments, especially the country’s many military dictators, as well as other political tyrannies. Much of his writing has been concerned with “the oppressive boot and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it”. He has taught at several international universities including Oxford, Harvard and Yale.
For media enquiries:
Nonceba Ntintili: urbanart10@gmail.com (074 368 6353)
or
Ntombi Mashaba: ntombi@joburgtheatre.com (011 877 6800)
