Africa Day Concert celebrates 48th anniversary

23 May 2011

The annual Africa Day concert is confirmed to take place at Newtown Park in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, 28 May 2011. The concert will feature Senegalese legend Baaba Maal, world-renowned guitarist and vocalist Habib Koite of Mali, Olufemi from Nigeria, Namibia's Elemotho, South Africa's Tumi and the Volume, Professor, Uju, soulful gospel group The Soil and newcomer Toya.

The event's broadcasting partner, SABC2 will televise the Africa Day concert from 9pm on Saturday.

Baaba Maal is both artist and activist, and in his role as a UNDP Youth Emissary and his personal capacity has been a campaigner for Africa's youth. Musically, he is internationally renowned as an innovator, who's introduced his Senegalese sound to audiences worldwide. For the Africa Day show, Maal will deliver a special acoustic performance.

Celebrating 48th anniversary

Now celebrating it's 48th anniversary, Africa Day marks the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union) on 25 May 1963. The organisation's objectives were to promote unity between African nations, and provide a support mechanism for liberation movements of colonised African nations. Chaired by then emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, the opening of the OAU was attended by the 32 African states that had attained independence at that time.

Today, Africa Day serves as a day to celebrate African heritage, and showcase the continent's history and culture through the arts.

Jointly hosted by The City of Jo'burg's Arts & Culture Directorate, the Johannesburg Development Agency, Gauteng Provincial Government, SABC 2 and the French Institute in South Africa (IFAS) and the French Embassy, the Africa Day concert promises to be a vibrant celebration of Africa's musical diversity and spirit of unity.