Events

South Africa may host AFRIMA 2025 and 2026 following AU invitation

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2024

South Africa AFRIMA 2025 and 2026 hosting rights

South Africa has received an invitation from the African Union to host the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for 2025 and 2026, potentially bringing the prestigious event to the country for the first time.

South Africa is in contention to host the next two editions of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) after receiving a formal invitation from the African Union (AU).

The letter, signed by Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma of the AU, invites South Africa to leverage hosting rights for the 2025 and 2026 AFRIMA events.

Also read: AU Calls for AFRIMA Hosting Bids from Nigeria, South Africa

This invitation is part of the AU’s broader strategy to enhance Africa’s cultural and creative industries as outlined in Agenda 2063 and other AU frameworks.

The AFRIMA event is a major platform for celebrating and promoting African music and cultural heritage, and hosting it offers significant opportunities for the host nation.

South Africa’s bid is supported by its rich musical heritage and robust infrastructure, which could provide an ideal backdrop for the awards.

Lekunutu Seboko, AFRIMA’s Country Director for South Africa, expressed the nation’s eagerness, highlighting its potential to deliver an exceptional AFRIMA experience.

The last AFRIMA event was held in Dakar, Senegal. South Africa’s potential hosting could further boost its international reputation, enhance its tourism sector, and provide economic benefits through increased visitor numbers and global attention.

The AU also extended a similar invitation to Nigeria, generating excitement and discussion within the African music community.

The decision on the host country will be influenced by the ability to meet AFRIMA’s requirements and conditions.

The AU’s Acting Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sports Division, Angela Martins, emphasized the importance of the event for promoting cultural exchange and economic growth.

Morocco has also expressed interest, potentially aligning its bid with the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for late 2025.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”