Afrodee show for all cultures

Vella Nyoni

POLOKWANE – THERE is a lot of excitement among music lovers over the upcoming Afrodee Music Festival that will take place at the Polokwane show grounds on Saturday, September 12.
Popular musicians such as DJ Fresh, DJ Cndo, Busiswa, Naakmusiq, Mo-Flava, Kid X, Reason and Kwesta, just to name a few, are billed to perform.
According to Dineo Mahlatse, who is the founder of Afrodee, this festival stands out from the rest because besides featuring 15 celebrity artists, it is the first-ever youth festival that will feature the well-known Sapa Yopa bikers, who promises to be a hit  with festival goers.
The Afrodee concept, founded earlier this year, is trying to spread as much love as it can through music. “The team is determined to make a difference,” Mahlatse said.
She explained that Afrodee is short for African Democratic. “It is a music festival that aims to celebrate African music, the union of young people and embrace the spirit of humanity in our society. This festival aims to help defuse tensions and build alliances among different races, cultures and traditions, especially after the recent spate of xenophobic attacks that could very well have brought the country to its knees economically.”
She said society, especially the youth, needed to be educated about and, more importantly, embrace the spirit of ubuntu. “Our youth needs to be educated about ubuntu so that it can celebrate and embrace its spirit in the many ways that can build a democratic nation,” Mahlatse further said. She added that the festival also aimed to be one of the platforms that contributed to youth development.
Mahlatse shared her reasons behind putting together the music festival. “Music is one thing that binds us all. A room full of Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans and English people all speaking their own language simultaneously would result in chaos, but once the music starts playing, they will all start rejoicing and dancing together, regardless of any language barriers.”

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