Southern African Community USA (SACU) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a star-studded gala on October 12, 2024. The event will feature a captivating showcase of Southern African talent, including dance, poetry, and more.
The evening’s keynote speaker is the esteemed Malawian scholar, Dr. Paul Tiyembe Zeleza, an award-winning author, historian, and academic. A multi-talented scholar, his books have won many international awards, such as the Noma Award for A Modern Economic History of Africa and Manufacturing African Studies and Crises.A son of southern Africa, his career reflects of time spent working in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi. He is currently the Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of African Studies at Howard University.
The lineup also includes:
- Dance Performances: Zed Trio, a dynamic Zambian dance troupe that blends Zambian and Congolese dance. Neavel, a Zimbabwean dancer fuses traditional and contemporary dance moves. Tjerije Se Laeties, Namibian brothers that are renowned for their contemporary dance skills
- Poetry: Tsitsi Madzongwe, a celebrated Pan Afrikan Zimbabwean poet who focuses on diversity and humanity.
- Music: A special musical performance by Voices of Southern Africa (VUSA).
- Master of Ceremony: MC Phill, a renowned Zimbabwean MC
- Disc Jockey: Get ready to dance to a mix of southern African rhythms curated by DJ Aubrey
Dinner is included with your ticket purchase and will be a culinary delight, featuring the authentic flavors of southern Africa, courtesy of Cassandra’s Kitchen.
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate Southern African culture and community. Get your tickets today through eventbrite or Zelle: southernafricancommunity@gmail.com. Discounted tickets available until September 29th when you enter the code “Ubuntu” at checkout.
Zimbabwean law firm Bodzo Law and Namibian biltong company Yummy Products are proud sponsors of the event, contributing their services and products as raffle prizes.
For more information about participants see below.
Participant Bios
Dr. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a historian, literary critic, fiction writer, and academic, Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a prolific and multi-talented scholar whose books have won many international awards, such as the Noma Award for A Modern Economic History of Africa and Manufacturing African Studies and Crises. A son of southern Africa, Zeleza was born in Zimbabwe to Malawian parents, and has been an Honorary Professor at the University of Cape Town since 2006 and at the Nelson Mandela University since 2019 and is a recipient of the Thabo Mbeki Award for Leadership. He was recognized in The New York Times as one of 43 Great Immigrants in the United States. His new book is Re-envisioning the African and American Academies. Read More
Tsitsi Gladys Madzongwe is a Pan Afrikan poet and author. Her poetry organically explores the idea of diversity and humanity, using human mobility as a tool to share the narratives of our ancestors, our collective identity, and who we are as individuals. Her poetry evokes themes of identity, culture, romance, gender equality, economic empowerment and justice that are currently impacting our local communities and globally. She migrated from Zimbabwe to the USA in the early 1970’s and earned a Bachelor’s of Business Degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1980. Read More.
Zed Trio is a Zambian dance troupe: Founded in 2014, The Zed Trio is a dancing group comprised of 3 Zambian born ladies; raised in Montgomery County, MD. The Trio named their dancing troupe Zed which is how the letter “Z” is pronounced in their home country. They wanted to share their love for Zambian culture through dance. With some soukous (Congolese music) influences, they captivate audiences with a combination of choreography and freestyle moves. Read More.
Neavel, a Zimbabwean dancer, seamlessly fuses traditional Zimbabwean movements with contemporary Krump dance styles. Read More.
Voices of Africa (VUSA), VUSA is a community-based a cappella group dedicated to preserving Southern African music. Founded in 2007, they perform a diverse repertoire, from traditional songs to contemporary compositions. VUSA has performed at prestigious events, including President Obama’s inaugural galas and memorial services for Nelson Mandela. They collaborate with renowned artists and share their passion through outreach programs. Read More.
Tjeriji Se Laeties, hailing from Namibia, these brothers are talented contemporary dancers. Read More.
MC Phill, Renowned Zimbabwean MCMC Phill is a seasoned Zimbabwean Master of Ceremonies with more than decade of experience captivating audiences of all sizes from all over the world. Known for his exceptional ability to engage and entertain, Phill’s unique blend of professionalism and humor ensures every event he hosts is an unforgettable, memorable experience. Read More.
DJ Aubrey, DJ Aubrey has been a staple in the DMV music scene for over a decade. A versatile talent, he grew up listening to music from all over southern Africa. Read More.
For more information about the Gala visit our: Gala page