By Adolf Kaure

The Africa Day annual celebration on May 25 at Swakopmund, was an emotional event as various musicians at the coastal town made use of the gathering to trace and remember their identity.  The day symbolizes the solidarity, heritage and African culture while serving as a reminder of the progress made in promoting unity across the continent. 

Speaking to Confidente this week, the musicians shared how being Africans shaped their musical craft over the years. 
One of the artists, Giddy Figueredo, known in the music sphere as Krazy Monkey said that Africa Day reminds him to value his culture. 

“As an artist, Africa Day is a powerful connection to the continent’s rich artistic heritage and a celebration of its diverse cultures,” Figueredo said. 

The artists, who is the lead singer of the Banana Gang afro pop group, also said: “As a black man, I strongly believe in an African character.  My whole music is mostly influenced by my cultural heritage. It is also inspired by those African iconic artists who came before me. I intend to give my message through music as an              African and to inspire [those] who will come after me.” 

The entertainer recently performed at the I-Care College Cultural Festival along Yung Kavin, Interface Music and Recordnation. 

As a content creator for the well-known “Word of the Day” social media channel, Figueredo regularly engages his peers through conversation on topics like diversity, identity and culture. Another artist, Felix Gathuma, said that every day is Africa Day, due to his Rastafari religion. “Our identity is a consolidation of how we interact with family, neighbours and throughout the social circles,” Gathuma said.

AFRICA DAY MUSIC CHALLENGE

Organiser, Elfrens Gaingob, along with Gathuma and Gerson Mandavela, recently initiated the Africa Day Music Challenge. “Most of the time, talented artists give up on their career or dreams because of not being able to pay for recording sessions.

“The Africa Day music challenge gives this opportunity to young, up and coming artists, to showcase their composition and also offering them a free studio recording deal with Welwitschia Music Productions,” said Gaingob. The Africa Day Music Challenge was won by NattyRas, while 12-year-old Elijah “Kati” Hwande displayed exceptional drumming skills and was also chosen as an additional winner.