Organisers of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have formally unveiled the 2017 calendar at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, South Africa.
The ceremony, which held on Tuesday, was attended by African Union (AU) officials, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, past AFRIMA winners and nominees from Southern African, media executives in Southern Africa and other stakeholders in the creative industry in Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, made known that the first activity on the continental awards event calendar is the submission of entries which opens globally on Monday, May 8 and closes on Monday, July 17.
Mr. Dada advised artistes, managers, producers, record label owners, video directors, publicists and journalist to submit their works or those of their artistes within the stipulated timeline in order to stand a chance at the awards.
“Irrespective of how popular an artiste or their works are in Africa, failure to submit for the awards means their chances of being nominated for AFRIMA 2017 is practically non-existent,” Dada pointed out.
While delivering the AU opening address at the event, Head of Culture Division, African Union Commission, Angela Martins, thanked the government of South Africa and the people for receiving the AUC and AFRIMA for the calendar unveiling.
“We would like to hail the All Africa Music Awards initiative for the laudable impact it has for its three editions (2014, 2015 and 2016).
“AFRIMA has been able to mobilise millions of people and renowned artistes from the five regions of Africa,” she said.
Speaking further about the partnership with AFRIMA and the African Union Commission, Ms Martins said “We wish to thank AFRIMA for allowing us to popularise this continent policy tool on its platforms and we call upon all of you here present to assist in popularizing these continental tools.”
AFRIMA is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical culture of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potential and values of the African culture and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.
