Locals gather for Africa celebrations
The events were held to highlight the importance of knowing our roots and to educate communities about people from different countries, their cultures and their landscape.
A non-profit organisation called Siza Rethusane held an event in celebration of Africa Day on June 15 at Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant in Meadowlands.
The event was held to specifically celebrate Mozambique, as the organisation held three more other events showcasing other African countries being South Africa, Lesotho and Kingdom of Eswatini.
They hosted their first event on Africa Day, May 25, celebrating Lesotho in Vaal, The Kingdom of Eswatini in Katlehong on June 1, and South Africa in Mohlakeng on June 8.
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The events were held to highlight the importance of knowing our roots and to educate communities about people from different countries, their cultures and their landscape.
“The whole concept was born from our understanding and celebration of cultures as Africans. I personally feel like most people in our country lack understanding of people coming from other countries, more specifically African countries.
“This event is to help and educate the people of our country by highlighting different countries and showcase to our communities what these countries have that is similar to us,” said Desmond Mthembu, Director of Siza Rethusane.
“Another factor behind this event is to make people of our country know how to co-exist with one other and appreciate one another, regardless of which nationally you are from in Africa.”
The event was attended by people from different places and also featured officials from the embassy of Mozambique to witness and celebrate the rich diversity and cultures of the country.
“We are here as the embassy because we wanted to share with our brothers and sisters the history of our country and what Mozambique is all about.
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“Basically our role in this event is to educate and promote Mozambique as a tourist destination and tell people about our cultural diversity and ethnicity,” said Sergio Carlos Macamo from the High Commission of Mozambique in Pretoria.
“Such events are important because they play a huge role in educating people and to also tell people that we are one and there is nothing different about us.”
The event also featured local artists and dancers to entertain the people who attended, from traditional dancers, rappers and DJs bringing the vibrant riches of culture and art.
