Great time with the Umoja (the spirit of Togetherness)

In 1950 the apartheid government passed a law, The Group Areas Act. The Act allowed the government to determine who would live where. Forced removals and the relocation of Black people who occupied valuable land, or land considered too close to white settlement were the order of the day. This was to ensure that Blacks remained in “reserves” and only come to the white areas needed for work. Over the years, tens of thousands of Black people were forcibly removed, not compensated and dumped often in the middle of nowhere. Lack of food, improper housing and little sanitation resulted in incredible poverty, malnutrition and suffering by Black living in the most prosperous country in Africa. http://www.africaumoja.com/index.htm

Watch umoja freestyle talents on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5t1IEU-hag

Umoja (The Spirit of Togetherness) was formed from the strives through the pains and hardship that was put upon them by the then Government that made live miserable for Blacks in our own continent, in Africa. Todd and Thembi went through all the struggles of the times and never relented in their struggle to advocated against the irrational ways the government treated the people of South Africa and it was in that same struggle they birth the genesis of Umoja.

The idea was to motivate the people and the bring joy in their hearts to rise up their spirit through music, culture and dance. These two women who are living legends went through the streets raising children and brushing them up while tutoring them the act of music and dance and engaging their hearts through act.

Todd and Thembi 

As the era goes by and time change in Africa, Umoja didn’t fail to metamorphous also for Umoja over the years grew stronger as a force of togetherness and a force for hope, Umoja made and brought senity in thousands of youths over time through music and today Umoja is recognise everywhere in the world. Umoja now has more than 150 cast and is managed by a reputable outfit that truly understands the meaning of togetherness.

Presently Umoja is in South Korea where they are going to be for a month before going to New York and it is stated that Umoja has toured over 75 countries on this planet and still have their theatre (Victory Theatre) in South Africa where people from all works of life gather to unite with the true spirit of togetherness.

Also, i had great fun with the Umoja here in Nigeria and i discovered they felt at home and called their tour to Nigeria a home from home. We had fun all through and even did music recording on my laptop and it was fun. Truly  Umoja is the true spirit of TOGETHERNESS.

By: Victor Edwards