Africa Day celebration at Mama Africa

Mama Africa restaurant was a hub of African culture yesterday as they hosted Afrohican, an event in honour of Africa Day, marked annually on May 25.  

The event, by creative agencies Alfonso Solomon Productions and Evocative Innovation, aimed to celebrate African identity, unity, and resilience. It also served as a platform for a broader campaign to advocate for Africa Day to be recognised as a public holiday and to call for an end to xenophobia. 

The line-up featured performances from the busking choir New Powerful ART Organisation, up-and-coming Afrobeat artist from Nigeria Harry Vybz and South African jazz legend Bheki Khoza as the headliner. Guests were also encouraged to dress up in traditional African attire, or outfits representing the continent. 

Event organiser Alfonso Solomon, from Tafelsig in Mitchell's Plain, said the event was hosted to say that Africa Day needs to be celebrated and to make the day special.

"We work tirelessly around the clock to make this cultural day special. We are also saying down to xenophobia and yes to a better Africa. We are all African, we all live in Africa and it's for everyone."

Mr Khoza said it was important to celebrate Africa Day so the youth are aware of the struggles of Africa, where the continent comes from and where it is going. "The struggle is still on with the political organisations competing and promising everything. The youth need to know the truth and where we come from, what was promised and what was not fulfilled so they can know who to vote for and what the next step is."

Lihle Spelman, one of three fashion students who created their own outfits for the event, said  Africa Day meant a lot to him "as an African because background is everything".