The Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival is in its final week from 24-29 September 2018 with a special focus on gaming and beats
Themed 'Tap Your Afro Source Code,' the fest is celebrating technology, creativity and innovation from across the African continent this year.
Dr Tegan Bristow, Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival director, said that the theme centres on African visions of technology by tapping into the sources of African tradition and culture alongside technology, creativity and innovation.
In its final week, the Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival explores music culture via the annual Beats Programme curated by WeHeartBeat, which will descend on the Tshimologong Precinct with a six-day takeover of Braamfontein's tech hub. The programme comprising of workshops, experiences and performances, facilitates the meeting of mind and spirit in an environment geared around the festival's theme.
The Fak’ugesi Beats Lab, running from 24-28 September will host international electronic artists and explore the connection between music, technology and culture with local and international artists.
The outcome from these sessions will result in an EP release, a short documentary and a live showcase performance at the Fak’ugesi Beats Bloc Party on 29 September. The artists featured in the 2018 Beats Lab are S.Fidelity (Switzerland), Zikomo (the USA), Morena Leraba (Lesotho) and South African artists Bonj Mpanza and Hlasko.
The last week of Fak’ugesi Festival will also host a special session on the Future of African Gaming from 28-29 September. A full day on gaming, this will take place in collaboration with Red Bull Basement and focus on the theme of Tech for Good. The programme includes an Indie Games Arcade; a ‘Games for Good’ workshop focused games that address issues in South African urban environment.
A MAZE, under the leadership of its creative director, Thorsten S. Wiedemann, linked the Johannesburg gaming scene to an international network of indie developers for six years from 2012-2017. A MAZE. / Berlin and A MAZE. / Johannesburg inspired other projects like Super Friendship Arcade in Cape Town and Glitch Face in Johannesburg and was a huge impetus in the development of the Game Design programme in the Wits School of Arts.
The week's activities culminate in a celebration at the Fak'ugesi Beats Bloc Party on Saturday 29 September. The Bloc Party aims to showcase the best in underground talent, both local and international.
