Essence Festival Set For South African Showcase

Already a New Orleans fixture, organizers of Essence Festival announced a November event in Durban, South Africa this fall to feature performers including Kelly Price, Estelle, Steve Harvey and speakers like the Rev. Al Sharpton and workout guru Shaun T.

The event is slated to be held at the International Convention Center and the Moses Mabhida Stadium Nov. 8-13 in Durban. In addition to international headliners, local acts like DJ Black Coffee, Big Nuz, Babes Wodumo, and Thandisa Mazwai. In addition to performances and speakers, the event will provide seminars, workshops programming. Local officials say Essence Festival will benefit locals with jobs and connections to other international businesses.

This year’s festival in New Orleans featured Puff Daddy & The Family, Doug E. Fresh, Kehlani, Shaggy, Kendrick Lamar, Ciara, and

The event is slated to be held at the International Convention Center and the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Essence President Michelle Ebanks said New Orleans and Durban are “sister” cities, and specific goals for the event are to bring together voices of influence from Africa and North America to empower women and connect communities.

Regarding the festival, Steve Harvey said in a video message on the festival’s website: “I can’t wait to touch down on the shores of Durban South Africa for the very first ever international Essence Festival. …. Personally, I’ve had an extraordinary journey of business success and I am committed to investing time, energy and resources to strategically develop business and commerce in Africa, and there is no better platform than my friends at the Essence Festival to bring together our communities, to celebrate our culture of black experience and to create and accelerate economic opportunities for everybody.

“I might tell a joke or two but we are all going to leave with the knowledge and inspiration to connect our business interests in the United States and Africa.”

Essence Festival New Orleans is already slated for June 30-July 3 next year. Essence.com is your place to go for more on the festival.