The Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) will this year host Senegalese Griot Baaba Maal as the main act of the fete. BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
He comes to Hifa after his fellow countryman, guitarist and harmonica player Ishmael Lo performed with Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi last year.
This year’s festival, which runs from April 30 to May 5, will see the world’s acclaimed maestro Maal performing on Coca Cola Day (May 4) on the Telecel Main Stage.
The versatile guitarist has blazed the world’s stages and appeared with stars such as Sir Paul McCartney and U2’s Bono.
His appeal and work ethic both on and off the stage have contributed to his appointment as a youth emissary for the United Nations’ Development Programme. He is also engaged in extensive advocacy in the fields of HIV and Aids in Africa.
He champions improvement of women’s opportunities and roles in Africa’s development.
The wide appeal of his work has seen his music making in-roads into Hollywood. His songs Hunger and Still were both included on soundtracks for the movie, Black Hawk Down.
This year’s Hifa is running under the theme What’s Next?.
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Hifa is the largest platform for local artists to showcase their talent and skills. The festival will this year host a staggering 1 267 Zimbabwean artists and 247 foreign performers.
