The Caribbean Muzik Festival dedicated the second night of the four-day festival to the celebration of Bahamian history and culture. Last night's event at Rawson Square, which was free to the public, also highlighted The Bahamas' ties to South Africa, specifically the 30th anniversary of the Nassau Accord, hailed as the key step toward ending apartheid in South Africa and securing anti-apartheid revolutionary and former South African President Nelson Mandela's release from prison.

Attendees enjoyed performances from the Bahamas National Children's Choir, musical legend Ronnie Butler, Peruchin Band, Elon Moxey, Ancient Man, Funky D and Geno D. The South African Soweto Gospel Choir included a selection of Mandela's favorite hymns during its performance.

In addition, Living Legend awards were presented to South African musician Hugh Masekela, Ronnie Butler (Bahamas), Jimmy Cliff (Jamaica), Omara Portuondo (Cuba), Emile Straker (Barbados), and McCartha "Calypso Rose" Sandy-Lewis (Trinidad and Tobago).

Several dignitaries from South Africa and other Commonwealth countries were also in attendance at the event. Addresses were delivered by Prime Minister Perry Christie, South African High Commissioner Mathu Joyini, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Harrison Thompson, and Alfred Sears, director of the festival.

The four-day festival will showcase all aspects of Caribbean culture and is intended to position The Bahamas as the cultural gateway to the Caribbean. Under the theme "Uniting the world with music", the festival is slated to feature a variety of music genres such as soca, calypso, dancehall, Junkanoo and rake 'n scrape, as well as street dancing.

"The Caribbean Muzik Festival is a wonderful opportunity for music lovers from the region and the world to simply enjoy the best of the wonderful musical talent that this region has produced," said former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes in a previous message endorsing the festival. "I hope that this year's festival will be the best ever," he added.

"This part of our history alone should make us proud to be Bahamians and cause people to want to come to Nassau just to see where this historic accord was signed," said Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe in a previous commentary on the festival. It is safe to say that the journey to Nelson Mandela's freedom, and the beginning of a revolutionary shift in South Africa started right here in The Bahamas."

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