Namibia’s Suzy Eises to headline Africa Day gig in Tanzania

The event will be hosted by the African Diplomatic Group of Ambassadors accredited to Tanzania and run under the theme, Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation.

Africa Day commemorates the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) on 25 May 1963.

“The event will encompass cultural performances, a food bazaar with a variety of traditional African cuisines, exhibitions and a concert featuring bands and artists from the DRC and Mozambique,” the organisers said.

“The Namibian High Commission, as chair of the organising committee, has through generous sponsors invited Namibia’s very own saxophonist and recent winner of the NAMAs [Namibian Annual Music Awards] Best Newcomer and Album of the Year, Suzy Eises, together with her guitarist to headline the event. This will present a golden opportunity to promote, showcase and highlight Namibian talent.”

Suzy Eises, who was part of the RHG pop trio, said she was excited to play for a Tanzanian audience.

“I feel honoured that my music and talent is respected well enough that I can headline an event,” she told Music In Africa.

“As an artist, it is a time to celebrate good, heartfelt African music. It is a day to acknowledge the African political leaders that came well before me to pave the way for me to be able to perform worldwide.”

The Tanzanian concert will not be the first time the 27-year-old singer will performed outside Namibia. In February she and fellow Namibian musician Elemotho were invited to play with the International Sister City Jazz Ensemble in San Antonio, US, through the city's Musical Bridges Around the World programme.

Asked if she would collaborate with local musicians while in Tanzania, Eises said: "If it happens, I will be glad. If not now, it will still happen. I have a lot of ideas and music to offer so I know that my music will grow one way or another."