Africa Day celebrated by wordsmiths
By Flaxman Qoopane
Poets, musicians, and dancers composed of South Africans, Zimbabweans, Malawians, Congolese and a Nigerian performed during the Africa Day Symposium held at the National Cultural History Museum in Pretoria on May 25. Illustrious guests included Nadine Gordimer, a Nobel Laureate in literature.
Morakabe Seakhoa, Director of the wRite Associates, Communications, Arts, Culture and Heritage events strategies, who was the Programme Director of the event, asked the audience to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa. He also paid tribute to gospel singer the late Vuyo Mokoena; and also to the late Ngugi wa Miri from Kenya. The occasion also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first authentic African literary masterpiece, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe.
First on stage was a female poet and musician Wadzanayi Chidzonga from Zimbabwe. She left her country in February this year and came to South Africa. She recited a poem – Nhemasasa (Motherhood) and sang two songs – Vainezvipo (People with talent) and Muroro (Being desperate)
She impressed the crowd with her poem and songs while playing Mbira.
Nathan Chakuchichi, another singer and poet from Zimbabwe told the audience how he jumped the wires while coming illegally to the country.
He harrowingly explained that while crossing the Limpopo river and the Kruger National Park, some of his colleagues died along the way. He eventually successfully arrived in the country.
South African Prof. Pitika Ntuli a renowned poet, writer, sculptor and cultural activist recited an illuminating poem that garnered applause from the audience.
Prof Ikeogu Oke, Deputy Director Communications, University Relations from the American University of Nigeria recited a poem in an operatic voice; The Heresiad
Prof Mosala William Huma from Midrand in Johannesburg read two poems in Sesotho and In English. Present at the occasion was also the flamboyant, famous praise singer, Jessica Mbangeni.
The author of this piece, Flaxman Qoopane, also recited a poem at the occasion, titled “Hatred”.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Where can one obtain copies of the poems read? In Sesotho and/or in English?
Thanks
Rethabile
(retjoun thing gmail thing com)
May 29th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
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