Drumming to Silence the Guns

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – May 26, 2025 – Yesterday, May 25th, 2025, Freedom Park in Pretoria, South Africa, bore witness to the resounding success of “Drumming to Silence the Guns: Let the Drums Roll Africa Day.” The inspiring event, held to commemorate African heritage and address the critical issues of violence and conflict on the continent, ignited a powerful message for continental peace that resonated far beyond the physical gathering.

The event was graced with heartfelt prayers for peace, setting a reflective and hopeful tone for the day’s proceedings. It garnered significant attention, with live coverage by major broadcasters from both South Africa and Eswatini, amplifying its crucial message of unity and resilience. In addition to traditional broadcasts, the event was extensively streamed LIVE across various social media platforms, ensuring its message reached a global audience.

Attendees and viewers alike were treated to exceptional musical and percussive performances. The vibrant and electrifying performance by Abafazi Bengoma, a dynamic group of African ladies, captivated the audience with their exciting display of rhythm and energy. This was followed by the highly anticipated main feature percussion set by the esteemed Dr. Sello Galane, who delivered an outstanding and deeply moving performance that served as the heartbeat of the peace initiative.

A significant highlight of the day was the insightful panel written address from Deputy Minister Ms. Pinky Kekana of the Ministry of Public Services and Administration. Her address underscored the fundamental role of peace in Africa’s development, emphasizing that it extends beyond traditional structures. Deputy Minister Kekana highlighted the need for regional bodies to empower societal actors for peace and underscored the symbolic unity of the Africa Day Drumming for Peace initiative. She further stressed the importance of digital innovations such as www.silencingtheguns.africa for cross-border engagement and promoted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a vital peace-building instrument. Deputy Minister Kekana concluded with a powerful call for unity and a future where African unity is a lived reality through trade, dialogue, technology, and shared identity.

“Drumming to Silence the Guns” successfully brought together communities in a powerful expression of hope and resilience, aligning with its broader goal of transforming narratives around violence in Africa. The collective energy of the drumming circles, the heartfelt prayers for peace, and the uplifting musical performances all contributed to an undeniable spirit of solidarity.

The campaign continues to emphasize the importance of moving away from divisive narratives and towards solutions that encourage solidarity. As incidents of armed conflict affect countries across Africa, the event served as a poignant reminder that peaceful coexistence and mutual support are not only possible but necessary for the continent’s future.

For those who wish to relive the moments or contribute their rhythm, the global streaming of the drumming session is available on www.silencingtheguns.africa on Facebook.

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Image Caption – Drumming To Silence live