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AFRICAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2017

he 19th edition of
the annual African
TRenaissance Festival
was hosted at the Inkosi Albert
Luthuli International Convention
Centre (Durban ICC) from the 25
to 27 May 2017.
The Festival included a two day
conference, which was held on
Thursday 25 and Friday 26 May
with the theme of “Innovation
and Transformation for Inspired
Entrepreneurship”. A fundraising
banquet was held on 26 May
2017 at 19h00 at the Durban
ICC, where the guest of honour
was Mr Sim Tshabalala, CEO of
Standard Bank. Entertainment
was provided by Lira who was
The Festival programme was
“Not everyone can be employed.
also one of the motivational closely aligned with the need You as young people have to
speakers for day two of the
conference. to promote an entrepreneurial be investors, innovators and
culture in KwaZulu-Natal. changemakers.” She added that
The African Renaissance Government has identified the question people need to ask
Festival is held in May each that poverty; inequality and is, “How can we make Africa
year as part of the Africa Day unemployment are the main better?” Entrepreneurship
celebrations, which are held on challenges that face the youth in starts with finding solutions to
25 May. Africa Day marks the our society today. In order for challenges and problems facing
formation of the Organisation radical economic transformation South Africa. Write a new story –
of African Unity (OAU) in to occur it is necessary to it starts with you.”
May 1963; subsequent to that, provide holistic and innovative In addition, in order to facilitate
the African Union (AU) was interventions to counter these entrepreneurship, ease of access
launched in Durban in 2002. The socio-economic problems. to education to acquire skills and
spirit of Africa Day was captured Mr Sihle Zikalala MEC for knowledge must be provided.
by the key note speaker − Deputy
President Cyril Ramaphosa, Economic Development, Tourism In his presentation, Dr Thabo
and Environmental Affairs said,
Mashongoane – Department of
who quoted a number of African
leaders and poets to illustrate “We are pleased that this year’s Higher Education and Training, - Deputy Dean: Research and These are offered by different
National Skills Authority,
conference pays a particular
his message. Of note, Deputy Internationalisation, University governments and institutes from
President Ramaphosa said, focus on entrepreneurship reported that, “The gap between of Zululand, and Dr Johan van all over the world and are often
development as a means to
the labour market and the current
“This gathering should be about ensure that more and more of post school system continues Koller – Institutional Planning & not fully utilised each year.
affirming our individual and our people participate and drive to be one of the sources of Research, Mangosuthu University Mr Mbongeni Mathe – Youth
collective self-worth as a people. the economic trajectory of our unemployment, and this needs to of Technology. Chief Directorate, Office of the
It should be about raising our Premier, KZN presented on
Often the question is asked,
consciousness to the endless continent.” be addressed. The skills planning “What action has taken place as the KZN Youth International
system of the country needs to be
possibility that the idea and Prof Sihawukele Ngubane, Scholarship and Exchange
experience of being African Chairperson of the African intensified to be able to recognize a result of the annual African Programme as well as the
Renaissance Conference
the skills demand and supply
carries. It should be about us Renaissance Festival said, website platform.
taking advantage of the vast, “Development of the youth as gaps that exist.” presentations and discussions?” Dr Shashank Vikram –
The KZN Youth International
golden opportunities available entrepreneurs plays an important Consequently, the promotion Scholarships and Exchange Consulate General of India, Ms
in the programme of rebuilding part in Africa’s future. The of a culture of entrepreneurship Programme website www.kznyis. Susan Knowles – Education
Africa.” conference aims to give the through education at our gov.za which was launched Advisor, US Consulate General,
KZN Premier Willies Mchunu delegates examples of business tertiary colleges and universities on the 7 October 2016 by the Mr Marcus Cornaro – European
said that the African Renaissance success to aspire to, as well as is necessary. Speakers on the Premier Willies Mchunu is one of Union Ambassador to South
Festival should be seen in the the resources to achieve similar various interventions underway the direct results of this platform. Africa and Mr Andrzej Kanthak
by institutions included
success.”
same light as WEF Africa and – Polish Ambassador to South
There are a number of
the Tourism Indaba in terms of Lerato Molapo, known Professor Thandwa Mthembu scholarships and exchange Africa also provided information
– Vice Chancellor: Durban
being used as “instruments to professionally as Lira summed up University of Technology, programmes available to South on the various opportunities
unite brothers and sisters in the a key message of the conference. Professor Irrshad Kaseeram African students to study abroad. available to study internationally
continent and the Diaspora”. from the respective countries that
they represented.
The African Renaissance
Concert, a highlight event of
the Festival, concluded the
programme. East Coast Radio
DJ Phat Joe was the host for
the evening’s entertainment.
Three superb artists − AKA,
Naima Kay and Nasty C −
entertained the audience and
delivered on all expectations as
promised. 

www.africanrenaissance.net

19TH INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL FESTIVAL

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