It's Seychelles Independence day today!
music
Madagascar Independence Day
It's the golden anniversary of Madagascar's independence from France however, given the ongoing political crisis, celebrations may be bittersweet. Nevertheless, in the Afri-love spirit of reflection and optimism, we're celebrating with a taste of things Malagasy.
Mozambique Independence Day
35 years ago today, the Republic of Mozambique became independent from Portugal and we're celebrating on Afri-love with a special post…
Africa Oyé in pictures
If you didn’t make it to Africa Oyé in Liverpool this past weekend, here’s a taste of what you missed…
SA week: Black Coffee
One to keep the weekend going just that little bit more…
Africa Oyé this weekend!
To all those residing in the UK, the place to be this weekend is at Liverpool’s Africa Oyé festival. The annual celebration of African music and culture kicks off on Saturday. With a line-up of musical acts from the continent and the diaspora, arts, crafts and refreshments, it’s sure to be two days of good vibrations and Afri-love.
And it’s free!
Simphiwe Dana and The One Love Philosophy
I discovered Simphiwe Dana a couple of years ago when I went to see her in concert in London. Her music, her vibe, really moved me. I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with her, on a cold Liverpool street after her show, earlier this year and she was incredibly wise and down to earth. With her composure and quiet beauty, one might mistake her for being timid but in her music and in her thoughts, she is truly a warrior! A champion of African pride and universal respect.
"I am a very cultured person … As [African people] we were made to feel inferior and a lot of African people stopped practicing their culture because it was seen as witchcraft or uncivilized. My music is inspired by African people and the love they have for song."
A true Afri-love spirit, check out Simphiwe waxing about The One Love Philosophy.
"We start by appreciating ourselves, then each other as part of ourselves, then we all truly flower."
Photos from Simphiwe Dana's myspace page apart from left bottom (by Lulu Kitololo) and right middle (found on Gorgeous Black Women).
Afro Cup Festival
London’s calling from the 11th of June to the 11th of July. In celebration of the first World Cup on African soil, Rich Mix will be screening all the games and keeping the party going with 25 days and nights of live music, DJs, art, films and food. The Afro Cup Festival has an incredible line-up and the chapati image on the food page is seriously stirring my taste buds! Sure to be an experience filled with positive Afri-love vibrations.
(Oh yes, and entry is free!)