REGGAE SOCIAL COHESION COMMUNITY DIALOGUE/INDABA IN CAPE TOWN, 24-25 FEBRUARY 2017
South African Reggae Music Association – Western Cape, supported by Lioness Productions SA and Rastafari United Front, in partnership with the Department of Arts & Culture – Social Cohesion Directorate – will be hosting the first ever Reggae Month Indaba dubbed “Reggae Social Cohesion Community Dialogue under the theme ‘The Role of Reggae Music in the Promotion of Social Cohesion and Solidarity in South Africa and African Diaspora Post 1994”
The reggae indaba will take place on the 24th February 2017, at the Arts Cape Theatre from 10:00 – 16:00, followed by the Social Cohesion Reggae mini-concert on the 25th February 2017, at the Nyanga Arts Centre, NyangaTownship, from 12:00pm, mid-day till late.
The aim of the Reggae Indaba is to normalize and broaden the scope of Reggae music in the main-stream music industry as an art form that can be used as an instrument to promote social cohesion and solidarity. Restore human dignity of Reggae musicians, promote the culture of tolerance, ubuntu, moral regeneration, cultural exchange, promote heritage, culture, indigenous knowledge, tourism, promote spirit of reconciliation and nation building.
There are an increasing number of Reggae bands in South Africa, African continent and Diaspora at large with a focus of promoting and developing a unique brand of Reggae as a music genre. Reggae music is an art form associated with the likes of the famous Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Rita Marley, and Lucky Dube in South Africa. It is a music mostly associated with the Rastafari communities, however, it has been discovered that, most people, however, enjoy Reggae across diverse cultures and spirituality. Reggae is more than light, care-free music for summer vacations, its depth, its social, cultural, economic significance and its musical legacy needs to be recognized and acknowledged.
Speakers on the day will include the following guests and more:
Department of Arts & Culture – Social Cohesion Directorate, Dr Abraham Serote
South African Broadcasting Corporation – Provincial General Manager- Western Cape, Ras James Shikwambana
Jamaican High Commission Representative
Sister Ashantewaa Archer – Ngidi – Social Cohesion Advocate
Mr Tony Kgoroge – Cultural Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) – President
Mr. James Mange – Reggae Legend & Anti- Apartheid Activist
Mr. Blondie Makhene – South African Music legend &Anti- Apartheid Activist
Mr. Thembinkosi Matyolweni – Umhlobo Wenene FM (reggae presenter) & Social Cohesion Advocate
Mr. Thuthukani Cele – Former Lucky Dube Band member- International reggae artist
The Indaba will also feature a Reggae indaba Cultural Expo in the form of reggae music albums, videos and hand-made crafts of reggae art form. The reggae indaba will give the communities an opportunity to narrate the historical genesis of Reggae music surrounding the ghettos of Cape Town. The idea is to raise awareness during the expo and ameliorate stereotypes about African heritage or way of life in our societies through Reggae as well as African Indigenous artifacts. Showcase success stories of Reggae and Indigenous Rastafari communities in South Africa, African continent and Diaspora at large.
For further information and interviews, please contact:
FikileMakhalemele – Lioness Productions SA or Ras Sipho Mantula (Adv.)
(C) +27 74 524 3732 or +27 79 565 7799
(E) fikile@lionessproductionssa.co.za or rasgideon@gmail.com