Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2019

SOUTHERN AFRICAN UBUNTU FESTIVAL

Sunday, May 19, 2019— Silver Spring, MD Southern African Community USA (SACU) is getting ready for the 2nd annual Ubuntu Festival. This festival is more than just a festival. It’s Southern Africa experience!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug 31 , 2015

SOUTHERN AFRICAN REUNION WEEKEND 2015 WAS A SUCCESS!

Southern African Community USA (SACU) event brought Southern Africans ‘Together as One’”

Silver Spring, MD

Southern African Community USA (SACU) hosted its third annual Southern African Reunion weekend from August 28^th to August 29^th in the Washington D.C. Metro area.

Fashion Show & After Party:

The weekend kicked off on with the second annual Southern African Fashion Show on Friday, August 28^th at Princess Mhoon Dance Studio in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. The Southern African Fashion show, showcased fashion from the Southern African region and is one of the numerous avenues SACU uses to promote Southern Africa. It serves to educate people about the region and raise cultural awareness whilst simultaneously strengthening community relations within the southern African community. In a country where African aesthetics is often dominated by fashion from East, West, and North Africa, the show provided a platform for designers from Southern Africa and its Diaspora to represent aesthetics that are uniquely Southern African.

The hosts for the evening were: Tapiwa Kandemiri (Zimbabwe), Wilson Maguwah (Zimbabwe) and Andrew Motaung (South Africa) who entertained the crowd with their friendly banter until the end of the event The 8 designers from Southern Africa that were selected to showcase under the theme, “Together as One” showcased their work. In between the fashion show the crowd was entertained by dancing from ZimUniq, a Zimbabwean Dance group; Mphasto Matenda, a Malawian born poet who works in the development field; Leo na Leo Next Generation is a dynamic dance group consisting of a duo from Tanzania and Uganda; and Mai Afrofusion Dance Fitness by Tsiti a Zimbabwean design instructor who danced for the crowd.

The Featured Designers:

The event features 8 Southern African designers in total. The designers from the Southern African Diaspora included: Nashona by Lilian K. Danieli (Tanzania) – a new fashion forward women’s clothing line that specializes in collaborating unique styles that are chic yet with vibrant fabrics from Tanzania; All Flo Couture (Lesotho) – Chief Creative Officer of All Flo Couture, Flory Ramoreboli, has infused the beauty of her homeland into her clothing brand which she describes as revolutionary and non-conformist; Designs by Ariane Fonseca (Angola), was receiving her education in business administration when she started her clothing line for women. She combines religion and fashion to empower women; Gaynor Khan & Margaret Perakis (South Africa) – a graduate of North West School of Design in Klerksdorp, Khan is a talented designer who was awarded the schools coveted ‘Best Designer of the Year’ prize. She was assisted by Margaret Perakis, a South African born school teacher who began making clothes at a young child in exile in Lesotho; VuVu Stone Collection (Zambia) – a brand founded in 2007 by Betty Phiri Chibwe & Oliver Chibwe. They wanted to create a fashion brand that provided the unique touch of exquisite, elegant couture fashion with a touch of Africa; AlmazAfrika (Zimbabwe) – a brand by Almaz Mahati that grew out of the realization that African print is a statement of our heritage and culture; Vituz Place by Vitu Ngwira (Malawi) – Ngwira is a self-taught designer who was inspired to start designing accessories due to her love for vintage, classic and ethnic accessories.

One designer came directly from Southern African this year. Izaura by Mosothi Lesolle was present to represent Botswana. Izaura is a label from a well celebrated fashion designer, stylist, publicist and creative thinker with a vast experience in fashion in Botswana and the rest of Africa. Although based in Botswana, Lesolle is emerging on the international scene and this was his first show in the U.S. His dramatic fashions led him to receive a standing ovation from the audience who fell in love with his bold cutting edge style. The spouse to the Ambassador to Botswana, Mrs Changu Newman, provided him flowers in appreciation for his work.

Other dignitaries in attendance at the event where official representatives from the countries of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia. Jane Nankwenya, the Deputy Chief of Mission from Malawi and Ms Prudencia da Silva Embaixateix, spouse to the Ambassador of Angola were also in attendance. Members of the African Affairs Advisor Group who represent Africa in Montgomery County, Maryland were also present.

The event also had a host of vendors from Southern Africa who sold fashion related items during and after the show. An after party followed the event with Southern African music being played by the memorable DJ Samp Deap.

Picnic:

The festivities continued the next day with a family picnic held at Alpha Ridge Park in Mariottsville, Maryland. The picnic was a full day of fun for the entire family, with games planned for the children and Southern African music playing in to the night.

The picnic featured a soccer tournament which saw four teams from Southern African countries compete. This included Teams from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola and SANA (a joint Namibia South Africa team) playing for this year’s championship trophy. The final game which was played between Malawi and Angola saw Malawi emerge to be declared the Southern African Champions for the third year in a row.

The reunion weekend is the largest gathering of Southern Africans in the United States and is SACU’s signature event. Southern African Reunion began in 2013 with the aim of getting Southern Africans and friends of Southern Africa to come together to network, meet, and celebrate Southern African heritage and culture. It is organized by Southern African Community USA.

About SACU:

Southern African Community USA, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit with a mission is to unite Southern African communities in the USA and to raise the visibility of Southern African communities. It also works on community outreach and advocacy for issues concerning Southern Africans. The organization represents Africans from the countries of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More information about SACU can be found by emailing info@southernafricancommunity.org or visiting www.southernafricancommunity.org.

To download a copy of the release for distribution click on the following link: Press-Release – Post Southern African Reunion Weekend 2015 was a Success – 31-Aug-2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 09 , 2015

SOUTHERN AFRICAN COMMUNITY USA TO HOLD REUNION WEEKEND 2015!

SACU will host its third Southern African Reunion weekend events.

Silver Spring, July 9, 2015

Southern African Community USA (SACU) will be hosting its third annual Southern African Reunion weekend from August 28^th to August 29^th in the Washington D.C. Metro area.

Southern African Reunion began in 2013 with the aim of getting Southern Africans and friends of Southern Africa to come together to network, meet, and celebrate Southern African heritage and culture. It is a two day event this year consisting of a fashion show, party and picnic.

The weekend will kick off on with the second annual Southern African Fashion Show on Friday, August 28^th at Princess Mhoon Dance Studio in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. The fashion show will feature 8 designers from Southern Africa and the Diaspora showcasing their original designs under the theme, “Together as One”. There will also be talent from Southern African performers to entertain the crowd. It promises to be an evening full of the most creative minds from Southern Africa coming together for one night to celebrate Southern African heritage. The fashion show will be followed by an after party at the same location where guests can meet and mingle.

The festivities continue the next day with a family picnic to be held at Alpha Ridge Park in Mariottsville, Maryland. The picnic will feature a netball games and soccer tournament where teams from Southern African countries compete to be crowned the regional champions. The entire weekend promises to be a day full of fun for the entire family, with games planned for children as well.

The reunion weekend is expected to be the largest gathering of Southern Africans in the United States and is SACU’s signature event.

Tickets for all the events can be obtained at http://southernafricanreunion.eventbrite.com. Anyone interested in getting involved as a model, designer, vendor, sponsor or member of the press should email: info@southernafricancommunity.org.

For more information about SACU, visit: www.southernafricancommunity.org Email: info@southernafricancommunity.org.

To download a copy of the release for distribution click on the following link:Press-Release – Announcing Southern African Reunion Weekend -09-Jul-2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29 , 2015

SOUTHERN AFRICAN COMMUNITY USA CALL FOR REUNION PARTICIPANTS!

SACU seeks for participants for the largest Southern African gathering in the US

Silver Spring, June 29, 2015

Southern African Community USA (SACU) is hosting its third annual Southern African Reunion weekend on August 28^th to August 29^th in the Washington D.C. Metro area.

Southern African Reunion is a 2-day event where Southern Africans and friends of Southern Africa come together to network, meet, and celebrate Southern African heritage and culture. The events planned for this year include the second annual Southern African Fashion Show, an after party and a picnic or “braai”.

Our fashion show will feature 8 designers from Southern Africa and the Diaspora showcasing their original designs under the theme, “Together as One”. Our picnic will feature netball games and a soccer tournament where teams from each country compete to be crowned the regional champions. The entire weekend promises to be another fun-filled weekend for the Southern African community.

SACU is looking for individuals and organizations who would like to participate in one or all our events. We are calling for the following people who would to participate in the weekend’s activities:

Fashion Vendors – we are looking for fashion vendors or fashion designers who would like to sell their designs at the fashion show. The cost for a table all night is $100. We welcome vendors from all nationalities but preference will be given to vendors selling Southern African items.

Entertainers- we are looking for established or up and coming entertainers to dance, sing, recite poetry or provide other entertainment that is culturally relevant to the region. Please submit your demo video to us and include information about with your bio, country of origin and any other relevant information.

Lastly, we are also accepting creative volunteers to assist in stage designing, hosting, and photography. SACU is looking forward to the support of the Southern African community and friends of Southern Africa to make this year’s events a success. We look forward to working with you to bring our community together.

To participate in any of the events, email info@southernafricancommunity.org or contact us through our contact page.

About Southern African Community USA (SACU):

For more information about SACU, visit: www.southernafricancommunity.org or Email: info@southernafricancommunity.org.

To download a copy of the release for distribution click on the following link: Press-Release-Call for Reunion Weekend Participants -29-Jun-2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Southern AFrican Community USA (SACU) GRANTED 501 (3) (c) NOn-Profit STATUS!

“SACU is now a tax exempt organization”

Silver Spring, MD September 10, 2014

Southern African Community USA is proud to announce it is now officially a public charity with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Contributions donated to SACU are fully tax-deductible retroactive to October 22, 2013. SACU became a registered non-profit organization in October of 2013. It had since been working towards getting this designation, “Obtaining 501(c) (3) status is a major milestone for SACU” remarked Executive Director and Founder Rachel Nghiwete.

SACU is now eligible to apply for government and foundation grants, which will further broaden its access to resources and strengthen its ability to serve the Southern African Community. Co-Founder and Marketing Director, Sitinga Kachipande remarked, “It will open many doors for us to expand our fundraising activities which help us meet our goals for the community.”

Supporting its mission to unite Southern Africans and increase the visibility of the Southern African community in the USA, SACU recently hosted its second annual reunion weekend. During this four day event, Southern Africans gathered in the Washington D.C. area to attend two trailblazing events. Southern African Fashion Show and Southern African Professionals Networking Breakfast were included in addition to the Family Picnic and Flag Party held at its inaugural weekend in 2013. SACU is planning to host other events over the next few months that will build community amongst Southern Africans and keep this community in the public eye. The recent new tax designation will help SACU better serve its community.

The SACU (EID) is 46-3236467. The IRS letter granting SACU its 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status is available upon request. Donation and sponsorship inquiries can be sent to info@southernafricancommunity.org.

About Southern African Community USA (SACU):
Southern African Community USA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission is to unite Southern African communities in the USA and to raise the visibility of Southern African communities. SACU hosts a series of events throughout the year, including sporting competitions, picnics, networking events, and fashion shows that are focused on this underrepresented region of the continent. It also works on community outreach and advocacy for issues concerning Southern Africans. The organization represents Africans from the countries of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For more information about SACU, visit: www.southernafricancommunity.org or Email: info@southernafricancommunity.org.

To download a copy of the release for distribution click on the following link: Press Release SACU Recieves NonProfit Status – 10 SEP 2014