It was an evening of fun and excitement as curtains fell on the week-long 8th Pan-African Dance Festival (FESPAD) at Amahoro National Stadium. Nigeria’s Ice Prince was among the stars that performed to a thrilled crowd. Jamaican Dancehall Maestro Beenie Man masterminded a successful crowning of the 8th edition of the biennial festival. The self-acclaimed ‘King of Dancehall’ ensured a happy ending after a series of glitches and the wrath of Mother Nature that characterised this year’s FESPAD.
There had been fears earlier that rain would disrupt the closing ceremony as it did to the opening ceremony.
The skies rumbled in the afternoon, a light drizzle followed thereafter sending panic waves among the organisers but this time round the heavens were of mercy—the rain subsided and the much awaited closing ceremony, graced by the Jamaican star, and Ice Prince from Nigeria, ensued.
Despite the event being entrance-free, the stadium did not fill up but it was quite a sizable crowd, mainly littered in the playing field with a few of them in the stands.
The evening kicked off with tradition performances by groups from the six participating nations—Uganda, Namibia, Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt and hosts Rwanda.
It was then followed by the award and recognition ceremony, led by the Minister of Sports and Culture Protais Mitali, who hailed the once in every two years festival for bringing together Africa and for being a platform to share knowledge and culture.
“I would like to thank all the participating countries and the organisers Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda is ready and is looking forward to host such events that bring the continent together,” Minister Mitali said.
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