It is for this reason that the Free State Province, through its Dept of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs as well as the Dept of Trade and Industry, invited the group to be part of their delegation that will be taking part in the Ten Year Celebration in Senegal, Skwatta Kamp will perform alongside Mama Africa herself, Miriam Makeba, who has also been invited to participate in her capacity as the Doyenne of African song. 

South Africa Week, taking place in Senegal, is part of the on-going 10 Year Celebration of the country’s democracy. The celebrations in Senegal are also taking place at the time when Senegal is also having their own biennial celebrations of their Performing Arts, including the Film Festival, as well as their annual St Louis Jazz Festival. The St Louis Jazz Festival has in the past years attracted artists from all over the world including our own Judith Sephuma, Sibongile Khumalo, Abdullah Ibrahim and this year Khaya Mahlangu.

The South Africa Week in Senegal includes a range of activities that involves trade and commerce, promotion of South African music, i.e. artists and their products. Trade and investment between the two countries, which is high on the agenda of this week’s activities, will also result in the formation of the South African and Senegalese Chamber of Commerce.

As for the inclusion of arts and entertainment, over and above trade and investment activities, it is hoped that this will further entrench a cultural exchange programme between the two countries, resulting in the movement of cultural goods and services in their respective markets.

Skwatta Kamp are extremely excited by their West African performance, and are looking forward to meeting with their Senegalese counterparts. For Gallo Records, the significance of their artist participation in this prestigious event is very clear: “to introduce the artists and their product into the international market, as well as forging cultural links through the identification of Senegalese talent for introduction into the South African market”, explained Sipho Sithole, deputy CEO of Gallo Music Group, who also left for Senegal on Monday.

Skwatta Kamp and Miriam Makeba will hold two performances in Senegal, on May 7th at Maison de la Culture Donta Seck and on May 8th at National Daniel Soriano Theatre.

Miriam Makeba also performs on May 5th at the Ambassadors Day Function hosted by the South African Ambassador to Senegal His Excellency Ambassador Rantobeng William Makou.

---