The sponsor of CNN African Voices, Globacom, has announced that the role of expressive arts in driving the growth of entertainment in Africa will be examined on the programme this week.
CNN in the episode’s vignette said dance, samba and slam poetry will be the focus of the programme, adding that how “expressive artistes are unleashing powerful performances in Africa” would be x-rayed.
“We start in Uganda with a daring dancer who seeks inspiration from across the continent to develop his craft and tackle social issues. In Nigeria, we meet a musician combining the roots of Brazilian samba with traditional Nigerian rhythms to empower youth. And in Rwanda, we follow a fearless poet who’s inspiring others to follow their creative path,” CNN stated.
African Voices will feature Nigeria’s dancer Seyi Ajeigbe, Jonas Byaruhanga of Uganda and Rwandan poet, Eric Ngangare.
Globacom said viewers could watch repeat episodes of the programme at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday and at 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. Further repeats are broadcast at 11.30 p.m. on Mondays and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesdays.
The Nigerian, Seyi Ajeigbe, is the founder of Eko Samba School in Lagos. He returned to Nigeria from the UK years ago to set up the school and share the experiences he garnered from performing with many groups from the London School of Samba to samba reggae band Eri Okan.
Jonas Byaruhanga is the founder and artistic director of Keiga Dance Company, which is based at the National Theater in Kampala. Since its inception, the company has performed at various international dance festivals such as the Indian Ocean Choreographic Encounters (France) and the Kunsten Festival Des Arts (Belgium).
The third guest who will be profiled is Eric Ngangare, a spoken word artist and poet known as Eric One-key. The Rwandan is expected to further espouse his belief that “of all forms of expressions out there, poetry is what resonates with the voice within for now.”