ACAPELLA SENSATION: South African Grammy-winning vocal group Lady Smith Black Mambazo will headline the African Cultural Festival in Shanghai on April 21

Sino-African relations have come of age, and currently provide international media with growing examples of successful Chinese investments in Africa and vice-versa. The Sino-African relationship encompasses commercial, cultural, people-to-people and ethical aspects and as cooperation between China and various countries in Africa increases, this relationship develops, grows, and diversifies. Cross-cultural collaboration is fostering great understanding and mutually beneficial long-term partnerships, exemplified by the upcoming Vision Africa Cultural Festival to be held in Shanghai in April 2013.

"Culture, in the form of art and food for instance, brings us together, letting Chinese know who we are and us Africans know who you are." These words from South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, speaking to ChinAfrica in 2012, encapsulate the aim of the Vision Africa Cultural Festival. The Festival will offer people in China a chance to experience Africa through food, art, music and dance. Four internationally recognized African groups will perform at a series of cultural events, and the Festival has secured the support of the South African Tourism Board, the South African Consulate-General in Shanghai and many African-affiliated companies and groups.

The Festival will be headlined by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a multi-Grammy award winning vocal group who will be making its first appearance in China.

Formed by Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been synthesizing the traditional musical essence of South Africa for over 40 years. Their outstanding acappella singing caught the attention of Paul Simon, who collaborated with the group on his 1986 Graceland hit album. In the years since, they have touched the world with the depth, beauty and power of their harmonies, and have used their extraordinary talent to share stories of their past, of their homeland and of their youth in South Africa. They are internationally recognized and acclaimed, and their positive and heartwarming story makes them the ideal group to lead The Vision Africa Tour.

Three other groups will open the Festival: the Addis Acoustic Project from Ethiopia, the KYP Gumboot Dancers from South Africa, and Noukilla from Mauritius.

Girum Mezmurheads theAddis Acoustic Project (AAP), an Ethiopian acoustic band playing vintage Ethiopian tunes from the 1950s-60s. With influences from traditional East African, Jazz and Latin musical styles, these pieces have time and again won the hearts of many Ethiopian and world music lovers.

The KYP Gumboot Dancers are on their fourth tour of China. Their three previous tours were hugely successful, drawing huge crowds with their dance moves and charisma. They represent a non-profit organization in Soweto, South Africa, called the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP). KYP jumped to stardom last year when its director, Thulani Madondo, received a CNN Hero award for his work with the children and community in South Africa.

Noukilla is a music group formed by five friends from the Island of Mauritius who came to Shanghai, China in 2005. Their unique style is a sega/seggae fusion, and their talent, originality, and strong stage presence have made them extremely popular. Their music reflects the diversity of their backgrounds (African, Indian, British, and French) and their lyrics include Creole, French and English.

Many companies are eager to participate and to benefit from this event, the first of its kind in China. South African Airways is Vision Africa's Airline Partner; the Le Royal Meridien Hotel has offered accommodation to the musicians for the full tour; Heineken APB (China) has generously supported the project; and many other sponsors, local and domestic, are involved in making this Festival something extraordinary.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, along with the KYP Gumboot Dancers, will also be representing South Africa at the South African Freedom Day Celebrations hosted by the South African Consulate-General in Shanghai on April 24, 2013. They will also make a guest performance at the Western International School of Shanghai's International Day celebrations.

In addition to providing world-class entertainment, The Vision Africa Tour will promote Africa as an exciting travel destination. As tourism increases across the globe, and as we see the rapid increase of Chinese nationals traveling abroad, Africa is set to become a fashionable travel destination.

The Festival opens on April 21 in Shanghai, and visitors can expect African food and beverage vendors, African craft stalls and African drumming. As a cultural collaboration, the Festival will open minds and doors, encouraging guests to learn more, see more, and experience more about the continent.

Join us for this introduction to the vibrancy of Africa.

You can find out more information about the event from www.visionafrica-china.com.