In 2003 an MOU was signed by the Mayors of Durban and New Orleans (U.S.A), formalizing their relationship as “Sister Cities”. According to Wikipedia, “A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties”.

It is through this relationship Durban creative Lumkah Fabulas attended the New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival as a special guest within her capacity as the New Orleans South Africa Connect (NOSACONN) Durban Youth Ambassador. With a passion for community youth outreach and upliftment, Lumkah is a rising voice in Durban’s youth culture - She is an actress, award-winning musician, director of performing arts, poet and choreographer.

Business, civic, community, and entertainment industry leaders from South Africa and New Orleans work together through NOSACONN advocating for the prioritization of music, arts and culture, business trade, as well as film to be at the forefront of South African and American economic growth and tourism plans. The Mayor of New Orleans, Latoya Cantrell and Alana Harris, The Deputy Director of Arts and Culture within the Mayor’s office of Cultural Economy, hosted Mr. Damon Batiste, the President of NOSACONN and Lumkah Fabulas as special guests at this year's Lundi Gras Parade at the Mardi Gras celebration.

While in New Orleans, Lumkah had the opportunity to interact with community organization Metairie Sunrise Rotary club, one of the largest service organizations in the world with 1,4 million members. In the appropriately named New Orleans African American Museum, she also had the opportunity to meet and sit down with Deputy Director of Arts and Culture, Alana Harris. In their discussion they spoke about potential cultural exchange programs being initiated by Lumkah’s company The Fun House, NOSACONN, and Project Live.

Look out for Lumkah’s Age of the Divine Mother art exhibition as well as the documentary she’s producing on her Mardi Gras experience, to be filmed on March 24th at the Affaire d' Appétit Art event in Morningside. Lumkah also has an Age of the Divine Mother musical up her sleeve, set for April this year. Follow this young change-maker’s social media pages to find out more.

Written By Lex LaFoy