Harare’s social calendar will take on a distinctly African flavour as Soke Africa collaborates with La Parada for a major Africa Day celebration that blends music, fashion, food, and culture into one immersive experience.
Set for Monday 25 May at La Parada, the event is expected to attract culture enthusiasts, creatives and nightlife lovers looking to celebrate African identity through sound, style and shared experiences.
The gathering forms part of a wider movement that has steadily expanded across Southern Africa, transforming Soke Africa from a local Cape Town concept into a recognised cultural lifestyle brand.
What is Soke Africa?
Soke Africa was founded in Cape Town, South Africa, as a platform celebrating African culture through entertainment and lifestyle experiences.
According to event curator Tinotenda Nathan Bure, the concept quickly resonated with audiences beyond the city, prompting organisers to expand into other parts of the region.
“Soke was born in Cape Town, South Africa. As the event grew, people from different cities started asking if we could come and have the event there,” Bure said.
The first event outside Cape Town was held in Johannesburg before the brand expanded into cities such as Gaborone, Windhoek, Limpopo, Harare and Bulawayo.
What began as a themed social gathering has since evolved into a travelling cultural movement focused on celebrating African heritage in modern urban spaces.
What People Can Expect at the Harare Africa Day Event
Organisers say attendees can expect far more than music and dancing.
The event will feature African-inspired markets, fashion stalls and food vendors showcasing flavours and products from across the continent. The idea, according to organisers, is to create an environment where African creativity and entrepreneurship are given visibility.
“The event seeks to discover entrepreneurs making their mark in the African crafts and clothing industry, so we give them a platform to exhibit and sell their products and services,” Bure explained.
The “Touch of Africa” dress code is also expected to play a major role in shaping the atmosphere, with guests encouraged to showcase traditional prints, contemporary African fashion and culturally-inspired outfits.
Soke Africa’s Focus on African Music and Nostalgia
Unlike many entertainment events that rely heavily on celebrity performers, Soke Africa places its emphasis on musical curation and cultural storytelling.
Organisers say the DJ line-up is intentionally curated to celebrate sounds from different parts of the continent, introducing audiences to both familiar and lesser-known African genres.
“We celebrate music from all over the African continent, including rumba, Afrobeats, Zimdancehall and African pop,” said Bure.
The music experience also blends old and new African sounds, reviving classics from the 1980s and 1990s while still embracing contemporary chart-topping hits.
“We make it a point that people are introduced to music they may be unfamiliar with around the African continent and bring to life music dating back to the 80s and 90s that people seem to have forgotten,” he added.
That nostalgic element has become one of the defining features of Soke events, particularly among younger Africans increasingly reconnecting with cultural identity through music and fashion.
Live Performances and African Creativity
While Soke Africa is not built around headline acts, organisers say the platform works closely with top local DJs and creatives in every city it visits.
International DJs visiting those cities are also sometimes incorporated into the experience, alongside live performances that align with the event’s African-centred identity.
“We also have a live act segment,” Bure said. “It can be a marimba band, a musician or any creative who speaks to what Soke is about, celebrating Africa in any shape or form.”
Future editions may also introduce traditional African games as organisers look to deepen the cultural experience and revive nostalgic childhood memories associated with African communities.
Why African-themed Events Are Growing in Zimbabwe
The rise of events such as Soke Africa reflects a broader shift within Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, where younger audiences are increasingly embracing experiences centred on African pride, identity and creativity.
Across Harare and other major cities, these celebrations have become more prominent in recent years, with restaurants, nightlife venues and creative spaces using the occasion to showcase African fashion, cuisine and music.
For venues such as La Parada, the partnership with Soke Africa represents an opportunity to tap into a growing market for culturally-driven lifestyle experiences that go beyond traditional nightlife entertainment.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available online through Quicket, while physical tickets can also be purchased directly at La Parada.
