Africa Day – Be a part of Africa’s Future

Johannesburg: 20 May 2022 – LoCrate Market, MTV Base and BET, presents Africa Day 2022, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, a four-day series of events and activation that will take place at the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg from 25 to 28 May. The focus of this year’s event will be on reinvigorating business prospects and exchange among South African SMMEs, as well as foster transcontinental trade between various operators (SMMEs, Government, crowd funders and creative hubs).  

The two main themes of this year’s Africa Day celebration are A Collaborative Africa and United Colours of Africa. A collaborative Africa is one in which all Africans are prepared to work together to improve each other’s livelihoods, enterprises, and initiatives for the betterment of our future. The United Colours of Africa addresses the socioeconomic concerns that plague our societies as a whole. Africa Day is encouraging diversity and inclusion for those who want to be a part of Africa’s future, especially the LGBTQI+ community, through this festival.

Some of the activities over the course of the four days will include Hybrid Business Talks, Art Exhibitions, an African Food & Craft Market, and a Music Festival at the Constitution Hill. It’s about passionately showcasing African culture through music, art, and fashion, with the goal of creating a conducive environment for young people across the continent to exchange ideas and conduct business. 

“After two years of virtual Africa Day celebrations, we are thrilled to finally have on-the-ground activities that will bring people together to celebrate the uniqueness of the continent, connect with each other as well as explore opportunities for creative enterprise and business ideas development,” Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Paramount, said. “It is inspiring to watch how Africans, on the continent and around the world, are leading the way through collaboration, invention, and creativity. This Africa Day, we’re especially excited to join hands with LoCrate Market, Malaria Foundation, Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) to make sure we highlight African businesses and bring Africans together.” Expressing her delight over the programme, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe said, “Africa Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in restoring and growing Africa, and where we need to go to achieve the Africa we want.

The coming together of Africans is paramount if we are to build a united and able Africa. When all Africans embrace each other, their cohesiveness will inspire Africa to greater heights of self-productivity and self-sufficiency”. “Gauteng is a melting-pot and cultural hub of individuals from different countries throughout Africa, with so many stories waiting to be told. The creative industry is an incredible gateway to understanding your fellow man, with storytelling in films being particularly powerful in building a greater sense of relatability, unity and cohesion in our society.

The GFC is proud to partner with The Africa Day Celebration 2022, which will be a vehicle of celebration for the creative side of our collective African culture, building bridges between us as Africans.”, said Ms. Busisiwe Mhaga, Chairperson, Gauteng Film Commission (GFC).  The celebrations aim to promote an inclusive and non-discriminatory society and would welcome anyone and everyone that is proud to celebrate our African heritage. The sounds, images, and rhythms of Africa will once again unite Africans this Africa Day, and festival-goers can expect to experience a dazzling showcase of African excellence.

While attendance for the first three days is free, guests need to register for a free pass at the venue to be assigned a spot; however, they must purchase tickets for the music festival on 28 May for R150 at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/174283-africa-day-celebration/#/.  You can connect with the following social media pages for more details on the Africa Day Celebrations; @mtvbasesouth and @locratemarket on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Also join the conversation with #AfricaDay22.