Nine marimba bands from Zimbabwe are set to participate in the 2024 Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival, scheduled to be held at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg, South Africa, from July 27 to 28.
This annual event, known for its vibrant atmosphere, gathers performers, educators, and enthusiasts from across Africa and South Africa. It provides a unique platform to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage and promote global unity through marimba and steelpan music.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Peace and Harmony.” Joan Lithgow, Education Africa’s Marimba Specialist and Festival Director, explains, “After successfully navigating a democratic election and marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa, we chose a theme that reflects the world’s current yearning for peace and harmony. Our annual festival is a perfect occasion to celebrate this theme.”
Education Africa, the organization behind the festival, is dedicated to advancing education and empowering youth. The festival is a key initiative for Education Africa, serving as a fundraising platform for the Education Africa Marimba Project, which aims to provide quality education and artistic opportunities to disadvantaged communities.
“The festival uses the universal language of music to promote social cohesion, creativity, cultural exchange, and understanding among young musicians and their audiences,” says Lithgow. Participants from various backgrounds and age groups will collaborate, fostering connections that transcend borders and nurture unity among different cultures. The festival is also fully inclusive, with bands including musicians with disabilities competing equally and being recognized for their unique contributions.
The Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival has become a significant event in the South African marimba community. It offers young musicians a dynamic platform to showcase their skills, learn from mentors, and explore the engaging rhythms of marimba and steelpan music. In addition to the competition categories, the festival will feature performances by professional musicians and over 90 workshops in disciplines such as gumboot dancing, marimba and steelpan playing, djembe drumming, and mbira playing.
Attendees will enjoy more than 330 performances by young musicians from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Trinidad and Tobago. This year’s event is expected to draw a record-breaking 2,300 musicians.
The participating Zimbabwean bands include:
- Brookside International School, Harare
- Dominican School, Harare
- Kirkman Group of Schools, Harare
- Maranatha Prep School, Harare
- Runyararo Primary School, Masvingo
- St Martins School, Harare
- Westque Junior School, Masvingo
- Windview Primary School, Harare
- Wise Owl, Marondera
Education Africa is confident that the Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival will continue to inspire and empower young musicians, offering an exceptional celebration of music, talent, and cultural diversity. Join us for an unforgettable experience blending the vibrant rhythms of Africa with the harmonious melodies of the Caribbean.
