Dubbed "Africa Pays Tribute to OR Tambo", the event brings together two of Africa's most loved cultural activities - music and sports - and will take place during the final leg of the Africa Cup of Nations Cup.
Leading the pack of high-profile musicians billed to perform will be the new singing sensation Zahara, jazz singer Jonas Gwangwa, Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi and his band the Black Spirits, guitarist and songwriter Selaelo Selota, West African band Nigerian Allstars, and Zakes Bantwini, Big Nuz, Dj Tira, DJ Sbu among other local and African musicians.
Some of the country's best known sporting celebrities and Bafana Bafana stars will be called on stage to introduce the acts scheduled to perform at the concert.
A symbolic choice for an event that aims to raise the flag of African diversity, the Mary Fitzgerald Square will be a frenzy of activities as different nationalities clad in their country's soccer jersey will converge to celebrate their diversity and their united support for Africa's biggest sporting event. Revellers will be able to watch the game live on a big screen, which will be erected at the venue. Other festivities include a line-up of some of the country's best DJs and a kiddies' village to keep the young ones amused while the audience enjoys the music.
Some of the nationalities and African ambassadors expected to attend the event include those from the 16 teams participating in the 2012 African Cup of Nations, which are: Libya, Senegal, Zambia, the Ivory Coast, Sudan, Burkino Faso, Angola, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Botswana, Ghana, and Guinea, as well as the host countries, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Ambassador of the event, Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba, who is renowned for his firm standing against xenophobia, actively advocating for inclusion of all Africans, said the event would be used to educate locals about the outstanding role that Oliver Tambo played in the liberation movement and to promote tolerance among all African citizens, using the much loved sport football. Reiterating the famous words of the late struggle hero, he said: "We have a vision of Africa in which we shall all live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity."
To ensure that revellers don't miss out on any of the festivities, gates will be open at 10am and admission is free.
