In 2008 South Africa experienced the first wave of xenophobia attacks in Durban that shook the whole country, and called for a national introspective as to what the African identity is all about. Sizwe Zakwe was busy with his rehearsals at Khula Arts Centre at that time, founded by Bhekani Thabede. It was during this period that the Reggae and Poetry Festival was conceived. They decided to set up an annual reggae festival that will include South African reggae musicians and reggae musicians in the whole continent of Africa. Since then they worked tirelessly to get funding in order to realise their idea. It was only in 2014 that they managed to get sponsorship and started the wheel going to set up the First Afrika Rize Reggae and Poetry Festival in Durban which will be an annual event.
The line-up for the first year annual Afrika Rize Reggae Festival boasts artists that have been in the game for a long time and helped to shape the Reggae scene in South Africa and hope to represent Africa as a whole. The line up includes –
Ras Mellow (Swaziland),
Ras Logic (Botswana),
Shutters Unlimited (Malawi)
Sister Phumi (South Africa)
Sandy Orace (Nigeria)
Thuthukani Cele (South Africa)
The Meditators (South Africa)
Sizwe Zakwe (South Africa)
Jah Crucial (South Africa)
Plateau Roots (Swaziland)
Carlos Djedje (South Africa)
Cool Fire (South Africa)
The free event is organized by Bhekani Thabede of the Qhawez Entertainment and Sizwe Zakwe of the Power and Sound Edu-rtainment with the support from the National Department of Arts and Culture, Khula Arts Centre, uMhlutheze Local Municipality and uThungulul District Municipality. It will take place in Richards Bay, a town further down from eMpangeni.
Afrika Rize Reggae and Poetry Festival will take place on 30 – 31 October, at Richards Bay Sports Ground, Durban.