PHOTO: The Durban International Conference Center where Africa's travel trade show Indaba is held. (Photo by David Cogswell)
Nothing communicates the exhilaration of Africa better than music, and the Indaba trade show makes excellent use of it in its opening ceremony. On the first day of the three-day show, Indaba stages a presentation that includes ceremonial welcomes from officials of the South African and Durban governments, bookended by dramatic performances of music, dance and recitation. Soaring performances begin and end the ceremony, and few who attend walk out unmoved.
The growth of tourism arrivals has dramatic implications for the country in terms of GDP and job creation, but the music has immediate impact and expresses the joy that is really at the base of the whole enterprise.
It started with a spotlight shining down on a lone man standing on stage in front of a giant video screen showing the continent of Africa as the frame of a series of images as he delivered an eloquent recitation about Africa in a powerful basso voice reminiscent of James Earl Jones:
"Here I was born in the whispering wind that races across the desert to harvest the promise of rain, in the restless raging tides, the ebb and the flow of the oceans that carve their ancient legacy against the shore, in the rising of the sun that casts its wash of light upon the land, in the richness of the soil that nurtures the waiting seed and brings them slowly to life, in the bounty of the crops that color the fields gold and green and the flowers that burst into blossom to decorate the wilderness in spring.
"Here I was born in the echo of thunder that rolls across the silent plains and the fire of the lightning that turns the darkness into day, in the calm light of the rainbow that colors the cloud-driven sky, in the wisdom of the ages, in the multitudes of the stars, in the stillness of the people who gave the gift of humanity to the world, in the comfort of knowing that I am who I am because of who you are.
"I was born into abundance. I was born into possibility. I was born into promise and hope in the shadow of an awakening giant blessed with the opportunity, tempted with the challenge to bring that shadow to light, the continent of dreams, the continent of possibility, the continent of our origins, the continent of our tomorrow, here I was born in the spirit of pride and purpose that binds us in humanity…"
In the silence following the concluding words of the recitation, the stunned audience waited a few still seconds as the stage was populated by a troupe of dancers, a lead singer and an accompanying choir who burst into the song "They Live in You," from Broadway's The Lion King, performed in the African style arranged by Hans Zimmer and the South African composer Lebo M. Those who know The Lion King may remember it as a tribute to the ancestors. In its setting at Indaba the reference to Nelson Mandela was unmistakable. The soaring voices of the choir, the tremendous vitality of the dancers was impossible to be indifferent to. It was a stunning opening.
In the 20th year since South Africa's first democratic election and only months after the death of its greatest leader, the legacy of Nelson Mandela was more powerful and palpable than ever. It set the tone of a conference that transcends the usual business transactions and negotiations that give it structure and purpose.
Indaba! What a pleasure and privilege to be here!
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
