Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina was feted with the 2018 Music In Africa Honorary Award at the opening of the Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) on Thursday night.
The award which aims to recognise the outstanding contribution of notable musicians to their home country’s industry and that of Africa as a whole, was last awarded to Baaba Maal of Senegal. Wainaina is well known for his politically charged songs and his song “Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo” has become an anthem for anti-corruption over the years. Speaking at the opening gala, Wainaina said "I’m honored to be counted worthy of the award. Kenya has a lot of talent and I encourage government agencies tasked with promoting art to give a clear guide on the criteria they use. We just came from Broadway where we staged the first Kenyan theatrical performance. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive much support from the government and I feel we missed a major opportunity to really brand Kenya.”
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
Umntwana womgquba a term traditionally used in the Nguni language that means “born out of wedlock,” but nowadays it is used to emphasise that one is born kwisintu. As lontwana, I look back on my own adventures: sometimes I pat myself on the back, and sometimes I wish I could redo them.
Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
