The ZA Central Registry NPC (ZACR) celebrated Africa Day on 25 May 2020 by hosting a drumming performance at Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum in Pretoria, South Africa, to highlight the urgency of peace across Africa and beating COVID-19.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The ZA Central Registry NPC (ZACR) celebrated Africa Day on 25 May 2020 by hosting a drumming performance at Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum in Pretoria, South Africa, to highlight the urgency of peace across Africa and beating COVID-19.

Hosted under the theme “let the guns be silenced and the drums roll”, the highlight of the celebration was a 20-minute peace song produced and directed by world-renowned percussionist, music scholar and recording artist Dr Sello Galane. He led an ensemble of nine (9) drummers from all over Africa in two performances on the day. The first performance was a prayer for peace at 07h00 (Central Africa Time) at Isivivane, the burial site of spirits at Freedom Park, and the second at 11h00 (Central African Time). The second rendition was streamed live via www.silencingtheguns.africa.

The campaign saw hundreds of thousands of Africans participate in the live streaming via the web page and social media platforms from all over the continent and the world. While some simply watched the performance by Dr Sello Galane’s ensemble, there were those who joined in the drumming of their own.

“We decided to host the drumming for peace on Africa Day, an important day for the continent and for the DotAfrica Foundation. It is only fitting that Africans should gather together (virtually) on this day to combat COVID-19 and to Silence the Guns as expressed in the flagship project of the African Union”, said the CEO of ZACR – Mr Lucky Masilela.

Although this was the first time a campaign of this nature was run, ZACR intends to hold this campaign annually from now on in celebration of Africa Day and pan-African solidarity. In addition to the performance at Freedom Park, ZACR encouraged Africans to film themselves drumming and upload their videos on www.silencingtheguns.africa.

“We pulled together the finest of the drummers from the great history that I had with them as a musician. They include El Haj from Senegal, Michael Ohene Dodoo from Ghana and many great South African percussionists. The technique we used was call-and-response to represent a dialogue through drums. If we had an audience with us at the venue today, they would also have been encouraged to participate in the drumming”, said Dr Sello Galane.

The campaign was conducted with the support of the South African government and the African Union (AU).

In the words of the Patron of the campaign and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms. Pinky Kekana, “people are able to communicate through drumming – and today we focused the drumming on the Silencing of the Guns and on drowning the challenge of COVID-19”.

About ZACR:

The ZA Central Registry NPC (ZACR) is a non-profit corporation (NPC) currently managing various .ZA second level domains, such as co.za, net.za, org.za and web.za as well as .africa. With over 1,000,000 domain name registrations, the majority of these domain names are under co.za. These names represent 95 percent of the total number of registrations in .ZA, and a large percentage of ccTLD registrations for the entire African Continent. In 2014 ZA Central Registry added 3 new Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) to its administration, namely, .Joburg, .CapeTown and .Durban.

Midrand, South Africa – On May 25th, 2025, Freedom Park will serve as the backdrop for “Drumming to Silence the Guns,” an inspiring event aimed at commemorating African heritage and tackling the pressing issues of violence and conflict faced by many nations, including countries like  Sudan  and DRC. This event will feature a prayer for peace, uplifting music, and vibrant drumming, uniting communities in a powerful expression of hope and resilience.

In recent years, Africa has witnessed a troubling rise in gun and war violence, leading to devastating consequences for communities and families. The need for collective action has never been more urgent. “Drumming to Silence the Guns” is not just an event; it is a movement that seeks to promote peace and collaboration among African nations. By gathering to celebrate our shared heritage and collective strength, we can unlock the stories and solutions necessary for a prosperous future.

Attendees will gather in a spirit of unity, honoring the heroes of African freedom while reflecting on the urgent need to address contemporary challenges. The event will include:

•⁠  ⁠Prayer for Peace: A moment of reflection and prayer, invoking hope for a future free from violence.

•⁠  ⁠Musical Performances: Local artists will take the stage to share music that resonates with the spirit of African unity and resilience.

•⁠  ⁠Drumming Circles: Participants will engage in traditional drumming, symbolizing the heartbeat of our communities and the rhythms of peace.

This event aligns with the broader goal of transforming narratives around violence in Africa. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, we can cultivate environments where peace thrives, and the potential of our continent is unlocked. Together, we can combat the culture of violence and promote a collective vision of prosperity for all.

The campaign surrounding “Drumming to Silence the Guns” emphasizes the importance of moving away from divisive narratives and towards solutions that encourage solidarity. With rising incidents of armed conflict affecting countries in Africa it is essential for communities to come together, share their stories, and demonstrate that peaceful coexistence and mutual support are not only possible but necessary for our future.

“We believe that by celebrating our heritage and coming together as one, we can inspire change and promote peace across the continent,” said Lucky Masilela CEO of Registry.Africa “This event is a testament to the strength of Africa and its people, who are committed to building a brighter future for generations to come.”

How to Participate in Silencing The Guns:

• Tune in Live: Join the global streaming of the drumming session on May 25th, 2025, at 08:00 SAST, via www.silencingtheguns.africa, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Share Your Rhythm: Record a short video (maximum 30 seconds) of yourself, your family, or friends drumming, and upload it towww.silencingtheguns.africa. Let your unique beat contribute to the collective sound of peace!

For the latest updates, frequently asked questions, and further information, please visit our website or contact our PR and Marketing Department at pr@registry.africa.

#SilencingTheGuns #AfricaDay #VoicesOfChange  #DotAfricaHonors