AFRIMA 2017 Calendar unveiling: African music stars confirm attendance

An impressive array of African music stars have confirmed attendance of the 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Calendar unveiling event scheduled to hold in partnership with the African Union Commission and the ONE Campaign on Tuesday, May 2, at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Confirmed music stars who will be joining members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, AU officials and ONE executives at the event incude Jimmy Dludlu, (Winner, AFRIMA 2016 Best Jazz); Mi Casa (AFRIMA 2016 Nominee); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Winner, AFRIMA 2015 Legend Award); Busiswa (Winner, AFRIMA 2015 Best Female Artiste, Southern Africa); The Soil (AFRIMA 2015 Nominee); Heavy K (Winner, AFRIMA 2014 Best Male Artiste, Southern Africa); Cindy Munyavi  (Winner, AFRIMA 2014 Best Female Artiste, Southern Africa) and Fungisia (AFRIMA 2014 Nominee), among others.

The proceeding will feature a joint AUC-AFRIMA Cultural Conference on the theme “Enhancing the Creative Power of the African Youth”. A discussion forum to engage culture and music industries stakeholders and policy makers and for set agenda for the formulation of culture policies.
Other dignitaries expected at the event are Head of Culture Division, African Union, Ms. Angela Martins; members of the International Committee of AFRIMA represented by: President and Executive Producer AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; Director, Brand Communication, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi, Regional Director, Eastern Africa, Mr. Ernest Ewane; Member, AFRIMA Jury, Mr. Chris Syren; AFRIMA and Associate Producer, Adenrele Niyi and Director (Interim), ONE in Africa, Ms. Nachilala Nkombi.
The music, media and entertainment sectors of Southern Africa will also have a strong representation with the presence of  Managing Director, Vth Season, Mr. Raphael Benza; Director, Vth Season, Ms. Ninel Musson; Founder Native Rhythms Productions, Dr. Sipho Sithole; CEO, Planet TV, South Africa, Ms. Mabel Mabaso, and MD, Content Connect Africa, Mr. Munya Chanesta amongst many others.
In a formal statement on the AFRIMA 2017 programme of activities, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union, Her Excellency Ms. Amira Elfadil said that her office will work closely with AFRIMA in promoting the cultural and creative industries to provide meaningful contribution to the economic development of Africa.
“Proposing for the joint efforts for the popularization of AU policy instruments, such as the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, the AU plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, the African Union agenda 2063 Aspiration 05 on heritage and culture amongst others, through AFRIMA platform.
ONE in Africa, Executive Director, Ms Nachilala Nkombo, reiterated the global campaign organisation’s commitment to partner with AFRIMA, “We are delighted to continue working with AFRIMA and the African Union. In the past, ONE has collaborated with various artists to engage African citizens on issues that affects us collectively these have included food security, health, economic opportunity and gender. These artists have also used their voices to get the attention of our governments too.  This year, ONE will use its partnership with AFRIMA and the AU to call on African governments to prioritise the demographic dividend recommendations focusing we have developed with our partners to seek urgent action on education, employment and empowerment for it rapidly growing youth population. We look forward to have Africa’s brightest musicians play a role on this agenda and be recognised for their social impact”.
AFRIMA is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa. Stimulating conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe, about the great potentials and values for the purpose of reducing poverty through job creation. AFRIMA seeks to promote the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.
Official event partners for the AFRIMA 2017 Event Calendar Unveiling are The African Union, ONE, The Maslow Hotel and Content Connect Africa.