On Africa Day 25 May 2024, Beyond Skin and our friends OpenNet40 Zambia announced a new project community venture with a community centre in Choma that will forge a bridge between youth in Northern Ireland and Zambia delivering shared arts projects focused on the SDGs.
The building has been gifted on a shared basis by Choma Municipal council, a local authority in Choma district of the southern province of Zambia and the renovation of the building or facility into a residential and cultural centre has begun and is referenced as BOC001 with all projects allocated a catalogue number.
Digital exchange projects will start immediately with physical exchange trips beginning in 2025.
Next month Zambian musician and human rights activist Smack Jay will visit Northern Ireland for a series of programmes with youth and public performances for Make Music Day and school events.
Darren Ferguson CEO Beyond Skin said
"I am so excited about this shared venture through this building and I applaud Choma local authority for their vision supporting this innovation strengthening Northern Ireland Zambia connections. Together through creativity their is no doubt that the journey and outcomes will impact the lives of many, assisting young people develop and express their skills for peace, security, equality, care for each other and our planet"
Sipho Mwanza, the Executive Director of OpenNet For All Zambia, expressed joy over this new project of transforming a community hall into a district youth recreation center in Choma and said
"This project will ensure that young people develop their talent and harness their skills to their full potential and I am so happy to be part of such a project that catalyzes and inspires positive change in the lives of young people in Zambia and Northern Ireland and am looking forward to support peer to peer learning and exchange of knowledge between the youths in Zambia and Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that this project will bring about the young people's innovation , energy and foster a new pathway for catalyzing and localization of sustainable development goals, foster cultural exchange and put young people at the center of peace building, many thanks to Beyond Skin and Choma Municipal council for coming onboard to collaborate and support such a venture "
Samuel Miyoba, aka Smack Jay is an established artist who uses his music as a platform for social impact and advocacy. Hailing from Zambia, his songs are centered around spreading messages of positivity, hope, and social change. Smack Jay is not afraid to tackle difficult and controversial topics in his music, including issues such as poverty, inequality, children and human rights and corruption. His unique sound blends traditional Zambian rhythms with modern hip-hop beats, creating a style that is both fresh and authentic. Smack Jay Zambia is a risen star in the music scene and has gained recognition for his socially conscious music and powerful message. In 2023 Samuel was a guest virtual speaker at Queen's University Belfast as part of the 'Politics off Performance Module'
In June 2024 Smack Jay will visited Northern Ireland. Read the blog at this link
Written and performed by Smack Jay (Samuel Miyoba), engineered by Wongani Hara at Punchline Studios, Zambia "Beyond Skin" Listen on Bandcamp
In 2020 we decided wouldn't it be fun to do a festival in Zambia. OpenNet4O in partnership with Dance Troup Zambia produced an amazing cultural music & dance event for Beyond Skin as part of the One World Festival. Videos (below). Note: All performing artists were paid for the performance.
Beyond Skin would wish to thank OpenNet4O Zambia founders Pamela and Sipho for all there hard work in developing this partnership.
National Dance Troupe Beyond Skin Concert (part 1)
National Dance Troupe Beyond Skin Concert (part 2)
National Dance Troupe Beyond Skin Concert (part 3)
Performance poem about CoVid by Bismark Haaduka, a teacher at David Livingstone Secondary School
