Ubuntu Festival, Experience Southern Africa!
You are invited to this year’s Ubuntu Festival, a festival celebrating Southern African culture and heritage! The event features 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:
2019 Ubuntu Festival Keynote Speaker Inga L. Kim is the President of the Association of Zambians in DC, MD & VA. Appointed President in 2018, her goal for the two years in this role is to propel her community forward. With a heart and passion to share the Zambian culture with the world; she had the honor of serving many African communities through cultural fashion shows, festivals and dance. A few years ago Inga decided that the best way to give back to her people in the diaspora and in Zambia was by volunteering her time to her community. She aims to empower Zambians in the DMV, through acquiring and sharing knowledge and staying united despite the different tribes.
Outside of serving her community she works in the Healthcare field. In her spare time she is a part time event planner and coordinator. Her first love is Dancing, cooking, spending time with her dear husband, family and friends.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Artist Profiles:
Charlie Mub
Charlie Mub Mandy is a Zimbabwean fashion designer, born and raised in Harare. A mother and entrepreneur striving to succeed the fashion industry. Charlie Mub couture strives to establish a distinctive label that is modern but, yet unshaken by it’s true African identity. Her label focuses on unique fashion designs that appeal to women of various tastes and preferences. The label founded in 2010 is slowly expanding towards men’s and children’s fashion. The label has since tapped into the international market which include South Africa & USA, showcasing at the 17th Annual Vukani Fashion awards 2011 in South Africa, 30th edition of DC Fashion week and at the H Street Festival held in Washington DC in 2018 and in 2019 at the embassy of France.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Claudia Cassoma
Cláudia Cassoma is the founder of Small Prints, an angolan-based non profit organization focused on the holistic well-being of every child. She is also an artist propelled by passion, compassion and a deep desire to incite change. Cláudia debuted her career in literature in 2013 and since then has six books published and dozens of individual publications in a number of international periodicals. In that same field, she has earned four awards. Between the fields of academia, leadership and social action Cláudia has earned fourteen awards and decorations with the most recent being from winning the 2018 CIVIC US’ global creative arts contest, a participation that earned her an invitation to speak at an international conference on Global Citizenship Education in Brussels. With the publication of her sixth book, Not For Flowers, published in celebration of International Women’s Day, Cláudia hopes to keep embracing the Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education, more specifically target4B, by creating opportunities for girls. With that in mind, 80% of the proceeds will be dedicated towards a scholarship for girls in developing countries.
Claudia will be reading from her book at the Ubuntu festival
___________________________________________________________________________________
Jovelino’s
Jovelino’s defy convention; whether they are playing a festival, pub concert hall, or even busy street corner, the infectious sounds of Jovelino’s always sounds good, they celebrate the fact that each and every song tells a story and a style of its own. Jovelino’s Band was born officially in 2016, being formed with 5 elements of the band.
Pedro Jovelino (vocals/leading guitar), Nelson Jovelino ( Bass Guitar), Nanga Jovelino (piano), Flora Jovelino (Vocal/Guitar) and Marian Jovelino Cunha (saxophone) were all born into musical households. Jovelino’s it’s a Afro/Pop/Rock band with strong influence of African roots.
Pedro Jovelino, the eldest, began playing the guitar, composing and writing music as a young child. Jovelino’s is a band of brothers and sisters from Angola, they used to perform together with home made instruments in the early 90’s but separated by the destiny in which Pedro has moved to Europe, “Portugal, England and lately Spain, were he formed a band called La Guagua”. Some of the band Members moved to South Africa, and to USA. After couples of years finally some of the group members reunited in USA, and decided to continue with their passion that is music.
______________________________________________________________________________________
SuRae teaches several platforms of fitness for private organizations in the DMV. Bootcamp, TaiChiFit, Bokwa-Punch and Strike, MECA Core, Drums Alive, BollyX, and with Lebert Fitness Systems Equalizers-Buddy Strap, LeHiit, and LeBarre. As a Raw food Chef and Personal Trainer she guides her RAWkStarz to FREEDOM from food addictions, to functional movement with strength, and helps them FLOW into a lifestyle that creates a Mind Body synergy for long term success.
She is the Author of Life~Style Upgrade 101 (Fitness and nutrition), on Amazon and has been featured in The Washington Post, the Military Times and is a contributing fitness writer to American Council on Exercise.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Obert Muringani is a Zimbabwean artist, whose interest in music began at an early age. He started exploring and experimenting with traditional and homemade musical instruments such as the ngoma (drum) and hosho (rattles) in his rural home. Over time he developed his own genre of music known as Rabba music. Rabba is inspired by Reggae, Rumba, Ragga, Dancehall and RnB music.
Through his music, Obert tells stories of village and city life. A cultural enthusiast, Obert has traveled throughout Africa, Europe and America sing and educating audiences about his experience, breaking the village life stereotype. Through his music, Obert aims to bridge the gap between various music genres and the cultures of the World
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Shyman Shaizo is a 2017 Kwacha Award winning artist. Shyman was born and raised in Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist capital and the home of the Victoria Falls. Since 2008 Shyman has released two albums and many hit singles including his biggest hit Fendela Fenduze, which has been referred to by some as song of the decade. His latest album, released this past November 2018 is titled “Born In Dambwa” a tribute to the neighborhood in which he grew up.
An international artist, Shyman has toured Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Italy and USA. Shyman has also worked with different international artists including Winky D (Zimbabwe) Trevor Dongo (Zimbabwe),Lulu (Malawi) and Wyre (Kenya). In Zambia, Shyman is considered a legend and his stage performance tells it all.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
H. GIL Inglês or “The Hojj”
An award-winning music, television, and radio producer, H. GIL Inglês or “The Hojj” is responsible for jump starting the careers of many well-known African artists. This Angolan native has become a cultural ambassador with the mission of bridging the gap between Africa and the rest of the world.
Based on the sound understanding that exposure eradicates cultural ignorance and bias, Gil Ingles spent the last 10 years co-producing and presenting events that showcase and promote African Culture and its diversity.
After spending last year co-hosting a Live Friday Afternoon Rush Hour World Music Program on KPFT 90.1 FM (a Pacifica Radio Station). Gil Ingles is now the host of the televised Talk Radio Show LusophoneA on Afrovibes Radio that airs on Mondays at 2PM CST.
______________________________________________________________________________
Tudituri is an initiative of Congolese professionals, artists and entrepreneurs living the the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. The purpose of the association is to bring together the best minds of the Congolese diaspora and work together to promote excellence, collaboration, solidarity and cultural awakening. Our vocation is to be the glue that strive to hold the community together while creating an environment for positive synergy and collective development.
In preparation for their presentation on the culture of the DRC, TudiTuri is collaborating with multiple artists and organizations in the local community.
You can expect the following:
● Zongo Dance Ensemble will be presenting Congolese Folkloric Dances
● Sound Of Congo along with various artist will lead the audience in songs rooted in the Congolese tradition of call and response
● Networking with representatives of the Miss Congo RDC USA pageant
● An explosive contemporary Congolese dance session to which the entire audience will be invited to join
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________________________________________
Allysa is a Tswana native who enjoys singing and writing music. She gets her music inspiration from contemporary South African artists and American musicians. Allysa believes that music is a language that everyone understands and can create relationships among people.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mr.Tz aka SanTz is an AfroPop/Hip-Hop artist from the United Republic of Tanzania, East Africa. Mixing his music with both Swahili & English, Mr.Tz intends to expand and promote his language and culture through various means of artistry throughout the world. He started music in 2008. He is also the founder & CEO of 255 Nation, a collaborative group of artists and various people with different specialties such as photography, audio production, dancers, singers, rappers and more. 255 is the area code for Tanzania and the logo, which was designed by Chiddy Graphics, is also the colors of the Tanzanian flag, essentially 255 Nation represents the country of Tanzania but members of 255 Nation originate from different countries in Africa and around the world. This promotes diversity and the concept of ”Karibu Kwetu (authenticity in artistry)” . Karibu Kwetu means “welcome to our home” in Swahili which serves to represent the unification of all countries, cultures and traditions in the world as one.
Mr.Tz is currently finalizing his debut album “Asili Haipotei (Roots Never Fade)” which is set to release in July 2019.
Instagram: Mrtzjumbe
Twitter: MrTz_Jumbe
SoundCloud & YouTube: Mr.Tz aka SanTz
YouTube: 255 Nation
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Event Program (12-9pm):
| 12:00 pm | Introduction |
| 12:05 pm | National Anthem |
| 12: 10 pm | Anthem for Africa – Alyssa Mpofu sings Nkosi Sikelela |
| 12: 20 pm | Opening Remarks by Inga Kim |
| 12:45pm | Video on Southern Africa courtesy of Mike Hove |
| 1:20 pm | Music by Alyssa Mpofu |
| 1:40pm | Drums by Sekuru Obert Muringani |
| 2:00 pm | Village Life presentation by Rachel Nghiwete Ledesma |
| 2:30pm | SAwaves (Dance) |
| 3:00 pm | Bokwa by SuRae |
| 3:45 pm | Music by Jovelino’s band |
| 4:30 pm | Fashion show. |
| 5:30 pm | Claudia Cassoma (poetry) |
| 5:45 pm | Dance and Music from Tudituri |
| 6:25 pm | Shyman (Music) |
| 6:45 pm | Music from TZ |
| 7:00 pm | Block Party |
* This is a Rain or Shine Event (entertainment takes place under covered shelter)
Confirmed Vendors:
Embassies:
Embassy of Mozambique
Embassy of Zimbabwe supported by Wafamba Wapota
Food Vendors:
| Thai master grill | Chicken, beef teriyaki, vegetables fried rice, chicken curry, vegetables Lomein, egg rolls. Fruits juice. |
| Village girl catering couture | Village girl catering couture offers African small delights with style and elegance. They deliver afro-influenced food and event experiences to their clientele by focusing on style and elegance. Visit Website |
| Grill Masters | Grill Lamb, chicken and Goat! |
Merchant
|
Informational
| Remodel USA | They will be giving out flags and product brochures. Visit website |
| Vitality Health and Wellness | They are providing information about their Chiropractic office. Visit website |
| Virtual Travel | They strive to create wood maps that celebrate the unique features found within each continent, or country Visit Website |
| New York Life Insurance Company | Handing out information about insurance. Visit Website |
| Closet America LLC | |
| Cultural Group Benefits | helps strengthen Cultural Associations by providing Quality Group Term Life Insurance Plan and Benefits to serve cultural communities. Visit Website |
| BShape | The goal of the BSHAPE health and safety study is to empower African women to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and safety. a study led by Dr. Bushra Sabri from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Visit Website |
Non-profit:
- Southern African Community USA (event host)
*List to be updated as new vendors sign up – new vendors will be added here*
Sponsors
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR(S)
Cultural Group Benefits
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza: Community Access Program
Sponsor our event: contact info@southernafricancommunity.org or events@southernafricancommunity.org
Vendors and Entertainers, visit our participant information page for more information.