AN "epic and unique" day of celebration of African culture took place over the Bank Holiday weekend in Basingstoke.
The event, put together by the Africa United Diaspora (AUD) movement, was held on Saturday, August 24, in the Carnival Hall.
A first-of-its-kind event, brought the various diverse African communities, and supporters in Basingstoke to the one venue, where they enjoyed food, games and more.
The occasion, according to the AUD movement, was held "to celebrate Africa, to celebrate Africans, and to chart a way forward to support African causes".
READ MORE: WATCH: Here's what to expect at Basingstoke's Africa day of celebration
Speaking at the occasion, the global leader of the Africa United Diaspora movement, Dr Tunde Adelakun, highlighted the importance and need for an AUD-type movement in all towns and cities.
Tracing the roots of the movement and why the event was held in Basingstoke, he said: "We started this initiative a good few years ago but on a global stage.
"We wanted to recognise and celebrate the good news that comes out of Africa and Africans and push to the back, the negative stories that seem to make people see us as sad and sorry cases.
"We felt it was enough to keep associating ourselves with so much negativity when there are positives in our people. We went as far as awarding people like Fatma Samoura who was the first African to be appointed chief executive of FIFA and a host of others on the international stage.
"Then it dawned on us that we also need to start doing things back home, closer to where our impact will be felt more. Expanding our reach beyond sport and embracing the wider community. And that is why we started AUD in our flagship cities."
Various notable individuals attended the event, including the Mayor of Basingstoke, Cllr Dan Putty, the Mayor of Rushmoor, Cllr Mara Makunura and a host of other dignitaries.
It started with a network session where people got to know each other and mingled before they sat down to listen to some moving and inspiring stories from Africans in Diaspora and how they journeyed into their current circumstances.
Pride of Africa Awards were given to Cllr Mara Makunura, Charlotte Nightingale, a philanthropist and activist, as well as Ugbana Oyet, Serjeant-at-Arms at the UK Parliament who is also of African origin and based in Basingstoke.
Dr Tunde expressed a passion for Africa and a desire to drive change and positive development of the African community through AUD.
He spoke about using AUD to help children of African origin reorient their thinking towards knowing that they "have roots to be proud of" and to use the "blessings of being in these parts to not forget the people and sufferings back home".
There was a consensus from the feedback and responses to the awards that many saw the event as one that should be held more often, and to support one another in charitable giving and fellowship.
Cllr Putty gave the vote of thanks, appreciating the guests and AUD for their work, and pledging the Borough’s support where they can to enhance the programmes of AUD.
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