South Africa Village
		11 – 13 September 2009

The multidisciplinary event South Africa Village will present the cultural, tourist and business scene of South Africa through exhibitions, concerts and other programs. The event will include two visual art exhibitions, the presentation of traditional crafts otherwise part of the sale exhibition, Zulu dance performances, concerts, as well as the presentation of South African tourism and trade. The event will also include the entire display of the Moya Africa Gallery, that opened a year ago within The Museum of African Art. Inside 14 constructed huts, erected in the Museum and Museum garden, visitors will be able to observe the manufacture of crafts, art pieces, jewelry, decorations, interior design materials, and will also have the opportunity to taste South African wines. Each ethnic hut will have its presenter dressed in traditional costume explaining the unique practice of clothing, accoutrement and color and sign adornment that have been preserved by the Zulu, Xosa, Ndebele, Swazi, Venda, Shoto (Kololo i Mzilazi), Shangan and Tswana peoples throughout the centuries.

The AFRICAN VILLEGE is organized in Belgrade as part of the Month of South African Culture celebrated worldwide. From September 11^th - 13^th, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. visitors will have free entrance to the ethnic village and the performances of Zulu group Amagawe (“heroes”) commencing at 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. The ensemble of Zulu performers and their dynamic dance will be the highlight of each day. The astounding Zulu dancers, known throughout history as shield and spear baring warriors, dressed in strips of leopard hide, demonstrating agile movements and acrobatics, perform the traditional dance deeply rooted in Zulu culture. The profuse rhythms created by the equally gifted drummers, make the spectacle a truly memorable experience.

The AFRICAN VILLEGE will also host South African music star Zolani Mkiwa, locally known as Poet of the Nation. Zolani Mkiwa has since childhood performed as an imbongi; following African tradition, the imbongi in African are the honorary citizens that use different creative techniques and improvisations, singing in praise of exceptional people. Halala South Africa, his first album as solo artist, Zolani Mkiwa released in 1997 announcing successful albums that followed. He collaborated with some of the greatest names in African music, among others the famous Benin-born French artist Angelique Kidjo, signing the intro for her album Voodoo Child.

South Africa Village is the first event of this type in the region. The main objective is the promotion of South African culture, tourism and trade in Serbia, and the establishing of a more profound cultural dialogue between the two cultures from different continents.

The organizers of South Africa Village in Belgrade are Minatar Ltd (Belgrade/Johannesburg), NGO Makhaya Arts and Cultural Development (Johannesburg) and the Museum of African Art in Belgrade.