26 Aug 2013

African entrepreneurs converged at the Bojanala Water Front on Saturday to showcase a wide range of business initiatives at the African Market.

The African Market 2013, which was organised by Thandizo Africa Connect, is an annual regional expo meant to promote local and regional enterprising initiatives and entrepreneurship development among Africans.

Officiating at the event, Zambian deputy high commissioner, Mr Wesley Chikwamu, said the outdoor event was an important platform that encouraged, among others, the Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises development “by generating income today and in the future through visitors who will appreciate the products and services that are showcased.”

Mr Chikwamu also said the African Market was meant to promote bilateral, regional and international integration through the exchange of ideas, acumen and culturally based businesses. “These entrepreneurship and cultural exchange activities should enhance business initiatives that benefit from the comparative advantage that our cultures have to offer,” he added.

The event featured a variety of businesses and cultural activities such as exhibition stalls, different traditional foods, storytelling, live soulful acoustic music, dance performance, drama piece and family activities. This African Market is one of the two events under the Thandizo Africa Connect Annual Regional Expo.

The other event is called Afro Lize Me - Fashion and Life Style show- which is a regional platform where fashion is inspired by African culture. The Fashion and Life Style show, is a market platform for clothing and accessory designers and life style business owners, meant to inspire and encourage local and regional designers to collaborate.

The show also encourages them to go through a creative  research -informed process to produce authentic garments relevant for a global market, as it provides access to regional platforms and training services. ENDS