Aside from being an event and community for the high-end African travel industry, word on the street is that We Are Africa is getting something of a reputation for its live music offering…

Keen to live up to the high expectations set by past performances from the likes of Freshlyground and Goldfish, we’ve got another toe-tapping, shape-busting line-up for our 2016 edition – and of course, all our performers are creating sounds Made In Africa…

OPENING COCKTAIL: BONGEZIWE MABANDLA

For Monday’s Opening Cocktail at Cape Town City Hall, co-hosted by Wilderness Safaris, we’re bringing in fresher-than-fresh talent Bongeziwe Mabandla to serenade the tribe with his hypnotic blend of urban-African folk music. Born in a small, rural town in the Eastern Cape, Bongeziwe Mabandla is a two-time South African Music Awards nominee who has collaborated with Joss Stone and Zahara, and performed at Primavera festival in Spain, Sukiyaki Meets the World Festival in Japan and Canmore Folk Festival in Canada, to name just a few. His relaxed, melodic tones provide the perfect backdrop for getting reacquainted with old friends and welcoming new faces to the tribe.

AWARDS PARTY: DJ LOYD

There’s no rest for the wicked, because next up is Tuesday’s Awards Party at one of our tribe’s favourite party venues: GOLD Restaurant. To celebrate the evening we’ll have none other than our resident favourite, DJ Loyd, who’ll have you grooving all the way to the dancefloor!

CLOSING PARTY: BEATENBERG

As much as we hate to think of the week ending, we’ll be going out with a bang thanks to the catchy, up-tempo beats of Afro-themed pop trio Beatenberg. With the band performing live beside our very own private beach, we’re seriously excited to be once again taking up residence at the awesome Grand Café & Beach for Thursday’s Closing Party. As they say: let the show begin.

John Segar