Bob Marley Annual Celebration in South Africa

http://www.andnetwork.com/index?service=direct/0/Home/recent.titleStory&sp=l54795 African Unite 2007

October 27, 2006, 2 days, 22 hours and 51 minutes ago.

African News Dimension

By Kelvin Kachingwe

Africa Unite, which was last year held in Ethiopia, will now be held in South Africa next following followinga decision by The Bob and Rita Marley Foundation.

LATE reggae icon Bob Marley's widow Rita has decided to bring the African Unite, an event meant to encourage peace, education and empowerment of the youth on the continent to South Africa. The event that also reinforces the significance of Marley’s songs of freedom, was last year held in Ethiopia but the The Bob & Rita Marley Foundation have decided to bring next year’s event to South Africa. According to Rita’s official website, Africa Unite will join forces with the Emerging Leadership Programme, initiated by the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, which honours the peacemaker and iconic Nobel Peace Laureate, Desmond Tutu. The Emerging Leadership Programme grooms young leaders with value-based leadership for reconciliation, transformation and peace in global communities. The event will also support the Shanduka Foundation's Adopt-a-School Programme that is committed to providing quality education to all African children, and the Ubuntu Institute that is dedicated to the development of young social entrepreneurs on the African continent who are committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Marley’s family, his wife Rita and sons Ziggy, Stephen and others are expected to perform at the event singing songs of their late father. "Our family is committed to keeping the legacy and teachings of Bob alive to spread 'one love' worldwide through the power of music, which is a gift from God," said Rita. "I have so much hope for Africa. It is our goal to bring life to the words of "Africa Unite" and aid where help is needed, while creating opportunities and sustainable change for youth in Africa and worldwide." Africa Unite 2007 will commence on Marley’s birthday, February 6, 2007 and continue throughout Black History Month to include a Marley photo exhibit and the launch, in South Africa, of Rita’s book No Woman No Cry; an Africa Unite benefit concert at the site where Nelson Mandela cast his first vote; education symposium in Johannesburg entitled You Can't Blame The Youth workshops to encourage peace, and education and empowerment for Africa's youth; a One Love fundraising dinner and photo auction; a Catch A Fire fashion show featuring local South African designers. Born in Ethiopia in 2005, and again realized in Ghana in 2006, the now annual Africa Unite events came to life from the unwavering passion and spirit of Rita and her family. She is inspired, she said, to spread the spirit and legacy of Marley, to continue to bring life to his songs of freedom and to actively work towards a united Africa in their lifetime. "It is an honour to bring the legend of Marley to South Africa to manifest the monumental changes Africa Unite will deliver," said Christine Hansen, Executive Producer of Africa Unite 2007 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Thirty-Three Productions.