Engage! is known for bringing together the most exciting voices, including the leading lights of the global wedding industry. In the sessions at Engage!24 The Africa Experience, the value of education transcended beyond knowledge, seeping into the hearts and connecting the minds of all who attended. Held against the backdrop of Zambia’s awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, this experience offered more than just learning. It celebrated the spirit, unity, and creativity that Africa embodies.
The Setting
Stepping into the session space at Avani Victoria Falls was like stepping into an artful vision of the African savannah. With richly patterned fabrics, pampas grass, and other preserved florals, and displays of traditional woven baskets, it was transformed into a tapestry of color and texture that set the tone for meaningful and inspirational learning. Bespoke touches like hand-bound leather notebooks in an array of hues, African-patterned chair covers, and a backdrop symbolizing the sun rising over the savannah offered a profound reminder of Africa’s boundless beauty and potential.
Opening Session: A Call for Collaboration
“We are all citizens of the world. We are all Africans.” – Alexander McCall Smith
The sessions at Engage!24 The Africa Experience launched with powerful voices from the continent. Mwai Yeboah, a Zambian-born creative, passionate about reshaping Africa’s narrative (and, of course, our guest Creative Director for this Experience), invited attendees to experience the event with curiosity and receptiveness. “If this experience feels different from what you are accustomed to, I hope you embrace it with an open heart,” she shared. Joining her was the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, whose vision for collaboration over competition struck a chord. “What we’ve been pushing for over a period of time in Africa…is collaboration. And this is exactly what I’m seeing here,” he stated. This synergistic spirit is one of our core Engage! values, and his words ignited a sense of shared purpose among attendees.
Panel Discussion: Leadership and Creativity
Day one’s standout panel brought together some of Africa’s young trailblazers. The panel discussed the future of Africa and how creativity and leadership could steer the continent toward growth. Thando Hopa, an activist, model, and the first woman with albinism to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine, spoke about how representation and how media is a way for people to access perspectives that they usually would not have access to. Chef Coco echoed this deep sense of purpose: “I want you, when you eat African food, to feel our heat, to feel our passion.” Also sharing their insights on the panel were Mzukisi Mbane, an innovative fashion designer, and communications specialist, Neil Kent.
Standout Moments and Surprises
It wasn’t just on the podium that the opening day of sessions struck a chord with guests. The performances woven into the event affected us all deeply. The Tongabezi School Choir set the tone with an opening song that resonated through the venue, evoking the joy and pride of Africa’s future generations. Manka the Poet followed with verses that electrified the air: “Black, you disturb the status quo with your joy… Black joy, may you survive. Black joy, may you thrive.” The profound simplicity of her words carried an undeniable power.
As the day drew to a close, the Ndlovu Youth Choir, known for their soaring harmonies and global acclaim via America’s Got Talent, brought the room to its feet (and to tears). They reminded everyone that within every song and every moment lies a promise of hope and renewal.
Day 3: Courage and Change
The next day of sessions offered a deep dive into the essence of boldness and change. This was brought to life by speakers like Kunbi Odubogun, Funke Bucknor, and Ashton Jean-Pierre. Odubogun charged the audience with a powerful message: “You are the people who are literally going to set the tone for everybody else.” Ashton Jean-Pierre’s words resonated in perfect harmony: “Always have the courage to do better… luxury means to be courageous. Put in the effort and the extra time to communicate; you’ll be better for it.”
The Art of Negotiation with Alexandra Carter
In the afternoon, Alexandra Carter’s workshop on negotiation was a transformative session for attendees. It spoke to the very essence of empowerment. Carter, a celebrated law professor and mediation expert, laid down truths that transcended the boardroom. “Money can mean not just freedom and status; it means the elevation and the visibility of people whose voices have been unheard,” she said, encapsulating the broader implications of negotiation as a tool for equity. Her insights encouraged attendees to negotiate not just for financial gain but from their power center—where confidence and authenticity reside. “When you are negotiating from your power center, you show up in a completely different way,” Carter reminded us. Her workshop provided a fresh lens through which attendees could view their personal and professional goals.
The sessions at Engage!24 The Africa Experience were more than a learning experience. They sent us on a journey into the heart of what makes Africa both powerful and unique. Knowledge wasn’t just shared but felt, celebrated, and brought to life through culture and community. With each session, panel, and performance, attendees were left with tools for their careers as well as a rekindled connection to the continent and its boundless potential.
In the words of an African proverb that echoed across our four days together and beyond: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
