CNN African Voices Projects Expressive Artistes in Africa

African Voices sponsored by Globacom on CNN International will this week beam its spotlight on Performing Artistes who, through their expressive arts, contribute to the development of the entertainment industry in Africa.

The programme sponsor, Globacom, said in a statement released in Lagos that the programme will feature Seyi Ajeigbe, a Nigerian dancer, Uganda’s Jonas Byaruhanga, founder and artistic director of Keiga Dance Company based at the National Theater in Kampala and Rwanda’s Eric Ngangare, an oral artist and poet known as Eric One-key.

CNN revealed that the programme will profile dance and slam poetry and will examine how “expressive artistes are unleashing powerful performances in Africa.”

The International TV news channel stated that, “we start in Uganda with a daring dancer who seeks inspiration from across the continent to develop his craft and tackle social issues. In Nigeria, we meet a musician combining the roots of Brazilian samba with traditional Nigerian rhythms to empower youth. And in Rwanda, we follow a fearless poet who’s inspiring others to follow their creative path.”

Seyi Ajeigbe is the founder of Eko Samba School, Lagos, who returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom to establish the academy and teach from his wealth of experience gained from performing with many groups, including the London School of Samba and the Samba Reggae Band, Eri Okan.

Jonas Byaruhanga founded the Keiga Dance Company in Kampala and also doubles as the artistic director. The company has attended many international dance festivals such as the Indian Ocean Choreographic Encounters, France and the Kunsten Festival Des Arts in Belgium.

The third guest is Eric One-key. The Rwandan is expected to further espouse his belief that “of all forms of expressions out there, poetry is what resonates with the voice within for now.”

Globacom urged viewers to keep a date with the programme at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday and at 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. Further repeats are broadcast at 11.30 p.m. on Mondays and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesdays.