1 to 31 May
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa invites all of the people in the Republic of South Africa, the rest of the African continent and the African Diaspora to join him in the inaugural Africa Month celebrations. Africa Month was launched by Minister Mthethwa on 1 April 2015 at Freedom Park, Pretoria.
The Department of Arts and Culture has planned an exciting programme that will take place throughout the month of May and beyond. It will be a festival of ideas and cultural exchange. It will provide a strategic platform and network for conversations about the African continent. These will go beyond the challenges to successes experienced and recommitment to work for the continued development of the continent.
Activities planned will take place across the country and will include music, literature, theatre, visual arts, film, fashion, cuisines, seminars, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions.
The theme for Africa Month is We are Africa - Opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo.
South Africa recognises itself as an integral part of the African continent. Therefore the country understands its national interest to be intrinsically linked to continental stability, unity and prosperity. Our national interest is therefore defined by the development and upliftment of all African people.
The Department encourages all sectors of society to join the Africa Month celebrations. In addition to the planned activities throughout the month, the Department will also hold Africa Friday events that will encourage people to use cuisine, fashion, dialogues and many other elements to express the fact that We Are African before we are South Africans.
The Africa Fridays will intensify the momentum for activities and individuals, communities, private and public sector entities are encouraged to independently organize such events to at work places and public spaces.
Use #WeAreAfrica to post photos and other messages to share your activities with others.
A full programme for the month is available on www.dac.gov.za. Thirty one countries are expected to participate in the programme in South Africa.
News articles
Read the full statement on Africa Month
South African and African Union anthems
