The African Renaissance Festival is now entering its eighteenth year and will once again stage the annual festival programme at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Durban. Over the years, various themes have been adopted for the festival programme, guided to some extent by current scenarios and the National
Development Plan, and aimed at growing the economy.

The theme to be adopted for this year's annual festival programme will focus primarily on entrepreneurial development, with emphasis on creating an environment conducive for the start-up and development of small and medium business ventures as key drivers to economic growth and job creation. Studies have
shown that entrepreneur-led businesses will create more jobs than large corporations in the coming years, and encouraging entrepreneurship is widely seen as one of the solutions to our unemployment challenges. The promotion of international and local bursaries available for study at tertiary institutions is also a key theme.

The festival includes the following events:

• Africa Day VIP pre-Concert cocktail function, 21 May 2016 at 17h30-18h30. This event is by invitation only and is hosted by eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo.
• African Day Concert, 22 May 2015 at 18h30 in the ICC Arena is a highlight event on the festival programme and is cultural showcase featuring a line-up of award winning artists.
• African Renaissance Banquet, 23 May 2015 at 19h00 is one of South Africa's most prestigious events expected to be attended by prominent dignitaries, participants and stakeholders from across the African continent and around the globe.
• African Renaissance Conference, 23 and 24 May 2015 at 08h00-16h00 A two day conference bringing together senior stakeholder on the subject of entrepreneur development and the promotion of international bursary exchange programmes for the youth of South Africa. The conference is scheduled to be addressed by leaders in business and government across Africa and attended by senior representatives from the private and public sectors. 

For further information on attending the festival's events visit:www.africanrenaissance.net