You are invited to a festival celebrating Southern African culture and heritage! The event featured performances, entertainment and vendors from the region. You will have a variety of vendors to choose from displaying fine art, jewelry, crafts, fashion and more. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, embassies, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. A fun day for the whole family. We invite the public to come and experience Southern Africa!
Ubuntu: In Southern Africa, the Nguni term Ubuntu (hunhu – Shona or uMunthu – Chichewa/Chinyanja) has come to be used as a term for a kind of humanist philosophy, ethic, ideology, and world view. It is often translated to mean, “I am because we are” – an African way of thinking about what it means to be human, and how we, as humans are connected to one another.In essence, it that a persons humanity is through the recognition that there is an ‘other’ who is unique and different, but still connected to us. At the heart of the definition, is the connectedness that exists or should exist between people. It is in this spirit that we invite you to connect with us through this festival…come experience Southern Africa!
Key Note Speaker – Opening Ceremony:
H.E. Ambassador Edward Yakobe Sawerengera: Ambassador Sawerengera presented his credentials as Malawi’s ambassador to the United States on September 16, 2016. He is concurrently credentialed to the Bahamas, Canada and Mexico. It’s Sawerengera’s second such appointment. Sawerengera was appointed as ambassador to Brazil in 2014. Sawerengera spent 20 years at the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, a government agency, where he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming deputy CEO and head of operations. Other positions include that of executive director of the Malawi Social Action Fund, which provided money for community projects; CEO of the National Food Reserve Agency, a strategic grain reserve for the country; and deputy CEO for textile firm David Whitehead and Sons. More recently, Sawerengera served as Director General for State Residences, or chief of staff, for then-President Bingu wu Mutharika.
Sawerengera is from Chiradzulu, in the southern part of Malawi. He attended the University of Malawi, earning a degree in agriculture in 1975. He later earned an MBA, in 1997, from the Strathclyde Graduate Business School in Scotland. He is married to education, gender scholar and activist, Dr. Margaret Mbilizi Sawerengera.
Entertainment Line-Up:
Basani Nguyuza: Better known as HisPurpose, Basania is a South African-born, American-raised inspirational vocalist. Her mission is to spread love and hope around the world through various genres of music.
Bhofro Design (Malawi): BhoFro Design believes that every woman should own an accessory which resonates with her character and uniqeness while letting her know that she has made a difference in the world.This is achieved by celebrating a joyfully creative union of African and bohemian fashion. Their collection of accessories and jewelry are bold and exciting, meant to be worn with pride and purpose. The Malawian born designer Chitsanzo, supports the only large scale fabric company in Malawi by exclusively working with their product; this company employs 3000+ locals and supports small scale cotton farmers.
“Buying BhoFro Design helps support the local Malawian economy as an alternative to donor aid through the empowerment of local business, which we believe is the more sustainable approach to financial development and livlihood improvement in Malawi.”With long term goals of partnering with Malawian artisans and developing skills training programs, buying and wearing BhoFro Design is a statement of support and sustainability. As their statement says, “it’s not just stuff, it’s a lifestyle”
Chardabat: Chardabat is a spiritually influenced Congolese born artist. His musical journey has its roots in gospel and the church choir in Kinshasa where he used to sing. He went solo in 2003, leaving his home country to grow and develop as an artist. His faith, hard work and love of music led to him produce his and release his Album in 2014. Fluent in five languages, he has gained accolades and acclaim for the diversity in his music, including an array of French and English language soulful sounds. He is also fluent in the language of guitar which you will hear this instrument in his music which predominantly draws from the sounds of his homeland. Musical collaborations have helped him diversify his own sound to become a fusion of R&B, Hip Hop, Trap, Congolese Folk and Spiritual gospel, “I am an African musician who enjoys listening and developing a variety of music such as rap, reggae, rock, jazz, R&B, Trap…” He likes to see his talents evolve and mentors up-and-coming musicians, “My music is designed to make people feel happy with their lives…Music is about Listening and not fighting!”. You can find out more about the artist and his music on his website.
DJ PCity – DJ PCity is a Zambian DJ who has made a name for himself in the Southern African night life circuit here in Washington DC. He features courtesy of DJ PCity DMV Entertainment.
Mphasto Matenda: Also known as Malawiana (The Poet), Matenda comes from Blantyre, Malawi; a vibrant country which she has always called home – alongside being raised in the United States, England, Zimbabwe and Canada. She considers herself intertwined in the challenges, possibilities and roots of globalization, development and Africa’s diasporas. Born a free spirited thinker, she has written since the age of 12 having always found comfort in sharing her creative side in the form of poetry, short story writing, music making and abstract painting. She has an honors degree in African Studies and Political Science. She is also dedicated to causes uplifting the youth and women. She is here today to share a poem on belonging, ancestry and Queen Africa. You can find more of her poetry and contact information on her recently published blog.
Nayla Cumbe: Nayla is an afro-house artist from Maputo Mozambique. She began her journey as an artist at 7 years old by attending a music school where she learned to play the piano and sing. By the age of 14, she recorded her first song with her brother. After studying marketing, she began to manage product brands nationally and internationally. At the same time, she stayed connected to the music industry in the by working with artists as their agent. She finally returned to her musical roots as an artist in 2017 by releasing tracks and music videos for her album, Beauty. Tracks from the album like “Beauty“, and “Nhate” enjoyed success in Mozambique. Soon after releasing her new track “dreamers” , a collaboration with singer Kevin Blue, she moved to the U.S. to expand her musical career. She hopes to carry the afro-house beats and flag of her country, beyond borders. Afro-House is a type of house music with its roots predominantly in South Africa.
Oshiwambo Dance: Come and experience traditional Oshiwambo dance from Namibia. Performance by Namibian Community USA Dancers.
PAKK Design A fashion accessory designer from Malawi, Patricia Msaka will showcase her latest accessories.
Retro Fiction: Hailing from Luanda, Angola, raised in Annandale, Virginia, two brothers produce, and create timeless records for their generation.
Retro Fiction’s goal is to bring energy like no other, while bringing the music world together sonically. Don’t miss Northern Virginia’s newest rap group.
SA Waves: SA waves is unique African dance group bringing you the rhythm and dance styles of contemporary Portuguese speaking Angola.
They are an all female dance group who were created to bring energy, balance and happiness to an human kind through rhythm. Angolan dance has gained worldwide popularity.
Sesoo Igbazua: A multi-faceted creative with a zeal for realizing the highest aspirations of the Pan-African dream. His interests include poetry, music, photography, culture criticism and African Spirituality. From founding The Knights’ Fraternity, an international pan-African fraternal organization, to leading fundraising drives for initiatives on the continent, building bridges between people has always been his passion. A proud double graduate of Howard University’s prestigious School of Business, Nigerian-born Igbazua’s vision is a world with bridges between the African Diaspora, alive and teeming with the exchange of ideas. He will be sharing his vision through poetry. Follow him on Facebook here!
Southern African Dance with Cheza Dance! – Southern African dance moves have been incorporated in to popular dance crazes such ans Bokwa and Zuumba! Now Cheza Dance will teach you how to get down southern African style. In this interactive segment, we invite the audience to get on the dance floor with us and learn how to dance to southern African music from all over our region!
Soul Print by Faith Lindeire: Soul Print is the name of the fashion design line by Faith Lindeire. It’s a line of custom made designs that gives your style personality, meaning and makes you stand out. A Malawi born designer, Lindeire was raised by a single parent who was a needle work teacher for 30 years and is now her biggest inspiration. Growing up in a creative environment made her learn how to sew without formal design school. She used to see how passionate her mother was about her designs, and thought she could be the same – she is now also passionate about her style and designs. Her designs are inspired by the new modern Ankara. After she realized she saw that Africans would love to wear their traditional styles, but sometimes dukus and chitenges would not be a good fit in all working environments, she decided to mix her style. She combines African tradition with western tradition fashion style to create a contemporary way of showcasing traditional wear. Let Soul Print Instill a soul in your fashion.
Voices from Southern Africa (VUSA): a community based A cappella choral group, specializing in songs and music from Southern Africa. They also reinterpret songs from other countries in a Southern Africans fashion. their mission is to preserve and present, songs from Southern Africa, which includes folk, traditional, composed music, hymns and choruses as sung in Southern Africa by indigenous folk. They have performed at the official embassy independence celebrations of Botswana and South Africa, performed as a guest choir in Metropolitan AME Church and other churches in the Washington Metropolitan Area, Baltimore and New York, sang at President Obama’s inaugural gala, and have performed Nkosi Sekelel’ iAfrika and other songs in the Washington National Cathedral for the USA Memorial Service for President Nelson Mandela. They have participated in a concert at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage with the renowned Nolan William, Jr. & the Voices of Inspiration.
Ye N’eka: Representing the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ye N’Eka is a non profit organization organized for cultural and educational purposes among other activities. They strive to conserve, preserve and pass on the Nande Culture of DRC and African heritage in general, to the younger generation within the diaspora community.
Event Program (12-9pm):
| 12:00 pm | Flag Parade |
| 12:15 pm | National Anthem, Anthem for Africa – “Prayer for Africa” by VUSU |
| 12: 30 pm | Opening remarks by SACU Board member and Malawian Ambassador: H.E. Ambassador Edward Yakobe Sawerengera |
| 12: 45 pm | Village Skit by Southern African community |
| 1:00 pm | Poetry by Mphasto Matenda |
| 1:20 pm | Songs by Voices from Southern Africa (VUSA) |
| 2:00pm | Southern African Dance |
| 2:20 pm | Poetry by Sesoo Igbazua |
| 2:45pm | Fashion Show featuring designs by Soul Print, PAKK Designs and Bhofro Designs music by Basani Nguyuza |
| 4:00 pm | Oshiwambo dance from the Namibian Community USA |
| 4 :15 pm | Southern African dance moves by Cheza Dance |
| 4:30 pm | Music by Retro Fiction music |
| 4: 50 pm | Dance by SA waves |
| 5: 20 pm | Music by Nayla Chume |
| 5:45 pm | Dance by Y’eneka |
| 6:10pm | Music by Chardabat |
| 6:30 pm | Block Party |
* This is a Rain or Shine Event (entertainment takes place under covered shelter)
Host(s):
Nerika de Araujo Palhares: Palhares is an Award winning as a broadcast journalist with more than five years of experience in the field. She is a skilled communicator with experience in promotions and marketing. Her fluency in Portuguese, English and conversational Spanish means she is able to communicate to a diverse audience both in Africa and in the U.S.A She also has experience in programming, editing, and reporting weekly news. She is currently at Marymount Manhattan College, majoring in Digital Journalism and film studies, with an interest in media communication. She is the Co-Founder of an organization in Angola that focuses on children’s self-esteem and spirit. The charity collaborates with orphanages and children’s centers to provide medicine and gifts during the year. Inspired by her own experience working in the journalism world when she was 9 years old as on-air host for TV Zimbo, they also identify children’s emotional needs. Palhares has a degree in Business administration at Berkeley college. She loves to braid hair and cook traditional food.
Mike Hove: Mike Hove is a broadcast producer, who has worked with several different organizations internationally, examples being Monash Radio in South Africa & our very own SAC TV (Southern African Connection TV. ). With a following of over 6 000 followers on Instagram & 3000 followers on Twitter, Mike uses his platforms to inform, educate & entertain the masses about issues in relation Southern Africa, ranging from politics through to entertainment.
Evan Ziniga: TV International broadcaster based in USA. He is also a TV Presenter / Host, Radio Presenter, Social Media Manager, Author, Business, Socio and Political Analyst, and Event Directing and Management Consultant. IG: zee_evans, Twitter: @Evans Zininga Facebook: Zininga Evans Simbarashe Email:evanszininga@gmail.com.
Fashion Show Co-Hosts
Thoko Kachipande-Prenatt: Kachipande-Prenatt is a Malawian-American with a passion for promoting a balanced presentation of African culture, history, and news. She spent most of her formative years in Germany and South Africa before settling in the U.S. Ms. Kachipande is a career communication specialist who holds an M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and a social science undergraduate degree that focused on African/African-American studies. When it comes to journalism and writing, she likes to remember that “history is written by the winners and those who bother to write” (Winston Churchill/George Orwell). She is a Co-host of Southern African Connection TV.
Gaynor Khan: Kahn is of South African origin and has a keen eye for fashion. A graduate of the South Africa’s North West School of Design and winner of its Best Designer of the Year award. Ms. Khan was invited to showcase her work at the Young Designers Emporium in Johannesburg before moving to the U.S in 2004. Coco Channel’s saying that “a woman should be two things: classy and fabulous” often comes to mind as she creates African inspired designs. Professionally, she is focused on pediatric nursing (neonatal care), early-childhood development, and her new found love for broadcast journalism. Ms. Khan most enjoys the great conversations and community service that comes with good journalism. She is a co-host of Southern African Connection TV.
Confirmed Vendors:
- Bath Saver (USA)
- Bhofro Design (Malawi): Unique handmade jewelry and accessories inspired and made from African Print fabric from Malawi.
- Cecilia and Yiliwaka (Zambia): Selling African fabrics, jewelry and clothing.
- Charik Fashion (Nigeria/Ghana/Togo): African crafts and fashion dresses.
- Clymer Metal Crafts (USA)
- Cultural Group Benefits (USA): Providing Quality Group Term Life Insurance Plan and Benefits to serve cultural associations and communities.
- Farmers Insurance – Michael Nguyuza Agency (USA): Provide information on Auto, Home, Life , Health (Medicare), Business insurance and other types of insurance.
- JC Sapulene Creates (Malawi): A sense stimulating experience of homemade and handmade natural candles and decor specially crafted to suite the taste of anyone who appreciates chemical and dye free scents and/or handmade rustic modern and afro inspired decor. There is a story behind each candle made- feel free to stop by and ask!
- Kala Designs (USA): Purses, clutches and accessories.
- Kenechi Fashions (USA):
- Khubucreations (Swaziland): Swazi Art, Crafts and Apparel.
- Kossiwa (Togo): Authentic Togolese women and children clothes and accessories.
- Omphile Merchandise (Botswana)
- Pakk Design (Malawi): Malawian accessories in chitenje cloth including handbags, shoes, and other items.
- Power in One (USA): Tshirts, hats, bracelets, and sweatshirts from Power In One clothing Brand. Designs inspired by Mother Africa, music, and empowerment.
- Remodel USA (USA): Home Improvement information.
- Rhett (USA): Hats, scarves, dresses, figurines, costume and natural jewelry
- Six Treat Eats (Zambia):
- South African Bazaar Craft (South Africa): Various products from South Africa.
- Taste of Angola (Angola): Julia and Blanche bring to you the rich culinary flavors of Angola!
- Twins Fashion International (Kenya/Ghana/South Africa): Clothing from various parts of Africa ie South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. Including ankara dresses, pants, skirts, bags, men/women dashikis shirts and men’s 2-3pc sets. From India we have women dresses, evening gowns, men kurtu shirts and sets.
- ZimTuckshop/ Zimgodies (Zimbabwe): Food products, treats and snacks and other items from Zimbabwe.
Non-profit:
- Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Washington D.C. (Angola)
- Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Washington D.C. (DRC)
- Embassy of the Republic of Malawi in Washington D. C. (Malawi)
- Embassy of Mozambique in Washington, D.C. (Mozambique)
- Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington D.C. (Zimbabwe)
- Immigrant Community Services (African)
- Kudissanga, The Angolan Community Association in the USA (Angola)
- Malawi Association in Washington (MAWA) (Malawi)
- Montgomery County Board of Elections (USA)
- Namibian Community in USA (Namibia)
- Southern African Community USA (event host)
- Women of Dominion International (Zimbabwe)
*List to be updated as new vendors sign up – new vendors will be added here*
Sponsors
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR(S)
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza: Community Access Program
ZAMBEZI LEVEL SPONSOR(S)
Sponsor our event: contact info@southernafricancommunity.org or call Nadine at 7033091260 from 9:00AM – 9:00PM for more information.
Vendors and Entertainers, visit our call for participation page for more information. To participate in the event as a vendor or talent, see our call for vendors and entertainers page.