Afro fusion artist Evans Mapfumo will join other regional and international artist at FESTAC (festival of arts and culture) in May from 20-26 in Kenya.
Festac also known as 2nd world black and african festival of arts and culture, will run and the theme, “sustainable growth trajectory for Africa through culture, trade, travel and tourism with a core focus to educate, empower and embrace using health screening and wellness, awareness, mental health, dental health, youth empowerment education, sports, leadership and entrepreneurship, trade, fashion, art, music and dance to explore Africa and to have fun”.
It is one of the, biggest festivals in Africa that celebrate culture, arts, crafts, fashion, music, dance, travel, tourism, trade investments, food, poetry and sports.
Mapfumo is happy to be chosen to perform at such a big platform, with also a big audience.
“lt’s a great opportunity for me and my band (kiat afrika) to showcase our talent, at a very big platform, that will be attended by many people from different parts of the world.
“The good thing about the, festival is, it’s not just about music, it also involves cultural exchange, networking and establishing new markets,” he said.
“We are going to market the Zimbabwean brand through musical instruments like hosho, mbira and marimba that we play, we are also going to exhibit those instruments”.
The Chitungwiza based artist, performed at big platforms such as Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar in 2022 and world Cup fan festival in South Africa (2010) sharing the stage with icons like Oliver Mtukudzi and Salif Keita.
Festac77 started in 1977 in Nigeria, with its main goal was to celebrate African arts, culture, music, fine art, drama, dance and literature from African countries and those in diaspora.
American singer and songwriter legend Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba are some of the notable names that performed at, the inaugural festival which, attracted over 16 000 people, at that time it was described as the largest pan African gathering to ever take place. Last year, the festival was held in Tanzania.
The talented guitarist hopes that, the “5th world’s black and african festival of arts and culture” will act as a spring board for him and his band.
“I am very confident that, during the festival we will be able to find new markets, to showcase our talent and Zimbabwean history to the world. Mapfumo released his debut album titled “Afamba Apota” in 2022 and he is set to release his second offering, later this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fpE2iZyzHQ
By Tatenda Kunaka
