After months of preparation, with production coming to an abrupt halt amid the Coronavirus outbreak then gaining momentum, Expo 2020 Dubai officially opened its doors to the world on 1 October 2021.
Joining over 190 countries in showcasing the Nation’s strengths and grasping the opportunity to reintroduce the buyer and sellers’ market, Team South Africa has successfully launched the October programme under the theme Identity: South African Culture. By the number of visitors that have passed through the SA pavilion – perfectly positioned in the Opportunity District – it is safe to say that South African storytelling is the gift that keeps on giving and the world wants more.
Where Mzansi is concerned, there is no celebration without a song and a dance. What better way to welcome the world to the SA pavilion than the viral Jerusalema challenge with hit-maker Master KG?!
Team South Africa is currently rolling out a series of events that pay tribute to the country’s rich cultural heritage through storytelling, music, food, art and significant heritage sites. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with The South African State Theatre, hosted an Arts & Culture night at the Al Habtoor Palace on 2 October with a spectacular performance of the musical theatre production “Charlotte Maxeke, Mother of Black Freedom”. Soon after, the National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF) launched the Film Week where homegrown classics like Belly Flop, Poppie Nongena and Long Walk to Freedom are showing.
Brand South Africa, on the sidelines of Expo 2020, hosted an engagement that highlighted the importance of using the global stage to promote and positively position the South African Nation brand. Speaking at the engagement, Director General for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Vusumuzi Mkhize said: “Expo 2020 Dubai provides an opportunity for South Africa to be globally positioned, therefore the value chain of investment is crucial for the development of the country.”
Keep an eye out for Heritage Week celebrations currently underway, which displays the transformation of South Africa’s cultural landscape while finding relevant ways to preserve and digitise it. On Sunday 17 October, Multichoice, the official broadcast partner of Team SA at Expo, will offer a special showcase of SA’s talent at One Night with Mzansi, taking place at the Dubai Opera House.
November month will see Team SA showcasing its investment opportunities to potential investors, to attract and secure investments in key priority sectors. These sectors will be showcased so as to achieve trade and investment targets, highlighting South Africa’s offerings and productive sectors’ potential.
