NMMU concert praises Africa

THE Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is hosting a vibrant concert of music, dance and poetry to celebrate Africa Day on Sunday.

An African Celebration, presented by the university's Department of Arts and Culture, is directed in collaboration with music lecturers Gareth and Ulagh Williams, of TwoTone Music.

This free concert is the culmination of a series of events in celebration of the university's Africa Week, which kicked off on Monday. "We're celebrating all that is special about Africa, as well as reflecting on South Africa's 20 years of democracy," NMMU's head of arts and culture Michael Barry said.

The show, to be staged in the South Campus Auditorium at 3pm, includes NMMU students, as well as children from Diaz Primary School.

The children will perform excerpts from their I am an African show, under the guidance of Wilma Anthony.

The diverse programme includes music from African greats Zahara, Mango Groove, Mi Casa, Brenda Fassie and Vusi Mahlasela.

Tributes to other African countries' icons of song, such as Angelique Kidjo and the evergreen Swahili song Malaika, will also be included.

Say Africa, by one of Port Elizabeth's great musical exports, Dave Goldblum, will also be performed. The vocal line-up will be backed by a live band.

"Sunday's concert is an ideal family outing and we want to encourage people to witness the wonderful talent at the university," said Barry, whose initiative forms part of a national project by Higher Education of South Africa (Hesa) to reflect on the role of higher education in the country's democracy. - Arts Correspondent