ABOUT US
BACKGROUND
What is Afia and what do we do? How did we come to the point where we are at today?
Afia is a non profit organization founded by Joanna Holewa Chrona and Theresa Gustavsson, two Swedish-based freelancing professional dancers, choreographers and also project leaders. Afia grew from the longing of wanting to make a change in our society, from wanting to support African artists and honoring African cultures, as well as to create a platform for people to enjoy, meet, connect and celebrate.
It all started with numerous travels to South Africa. First one in 2015, and so far there is no last one… and hopefully won’t be. Before South Africa there was already an interest in African cultures and travels were made to Senegal, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambiques, Zanzibar.. But it was after 2015 and the first visit to South Africa that Joanna decided to live part time in Johannesburg and she still does that up until this day. Theresa has several times visited South Africa as well. During this time of being in Johannesburg, Theresa and Joanna connected very well with a dance company called ‘Real Actions Pantsula’, and it was the original reason why they ended up in South Africa to begin with. To train isiPantsula. A subculture from Johannesburg. From here a mutual collaboration grew with the South African pantsula dancers and Afias official birth came about when Joanna and Theresa invited two dancers to teach in Sweden summer 2016. That was the first edition of “Afia Festival”.
Today the organization has grown a lot. Afia’s team is bigger and the festival is now an explosion of vibes and South African culture with over 12 activities over 7 days. Afia hosts a number of other events as well, charity events, clubs and stage performances. Afia is always up for a good collaboration….if the same values and vision are shared of course!
Basically, AFIA is a cultural event producer with the aim to connect and celebrate people and hold space for African cultures.
VISION
- To unite people via dance and music.
- To strengthen the possibilities and the platforms for African cultures.
- To decrease the distance between people of different cultures, class differences and backgrounds.
- Broaden the range of cultural expressions in Sweden.
- To offer different ways to deepen one’s knowledge and open one’s perspective about African cultures.
How are we doing this?
- By organizing tailor made cultural events and performances with focus on African cultures and artists with African heritage.
- By being consistent with our vision, values, actions and ambition and not giving up when met with obstacles.
- By hosting events in different locations, cities, countries.
- By keeping entrances free and as low as possible.
- By keeping ourselves updated within the culture we are presenting.
- By being in close connection with the artist and our participants/audience.
We want a more vibrant world where people are accepted for who they are and where we celebrate each other and our expressions! To get there -> we see the demands and then create the events.
VALUES
We value cultural expressions and heritage. We also value people’s differences and similarities, as well as unity, knowledge, integrity, social/cultural responsibility and fair representation of culture/bodies and gender.
How do we keep our values?
- By organizing cultural events with focus on knowledge and history.
- By being consistent with our vision,values, actions and ambition and not giving up when met with obstacles.
- By questioning ourselves daily in order to align more with our values all the time.
- By working with people, partners and artists that we see hold the same values.
- By being consistent with booking artists based on representation.
- By going that extra mile of understanding the culture we are working with for it to be authentic and in fair representation of the culture.
- By offering our audience the same chance of understanding via lectures etc.
Meet The AFIA Family
Get to know us a little bit better, click the buttons below to read more about us and our journeys.
Producer
Joanna Holewa Chrona
Joanna Holewa Chrona
Producer
Joanna Holewa Chrona is a Swedish dancer, choreographer, project leader and dj located in Sweden/South Africa. Her dance- background is within Streetdance from the afro-diaspora as well as from West/South-African cultural dances. She is active within different fields of art such as performing, teaching, choreographing, project-leading, battles/competitions, music-videos, art-films, commercials, deejaying etc. With her movement-experience from dance-training and work, as well as through her many inspiration and knowledge-seeking travels she has found a unique way of moving. Joanna believes that dance and music is important for individuals and communities freedom of expression, and that sharing and exchanging is the key to togetherness.
Joanna's work as a dancer and choreographer is always influenced by where and how she moves in life. Without compromising she always gives herself completely to the moment. There is a strong interest in honesty, depth, connection and togetherness. She uses choreography and dance as a tool to further share her interests and mindsets.
With her work as a project leader and especially within Afia, she believes it is through dance, music and art that we can come together, connect, broaden our perspectives and learn about different cultures and ourselves.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
I can't memorize lyrics and don't even get me started about melodies. I make up my own songs in the shower or anywhere else, that way I can't go wrong!
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Tea is definitely an addiction of mine, it does not matter if its blazing sun outside and 30+ degrees celsius. You will always find me with some rooibos tea….
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
I have a secret nickname “Manifesting b*tch number 1” given to me by a close friend of mine, excuse the language. I am big on manifesting my wishes and goals and usually they tend to come true in one way or another. I love to see people talking about their dreams and then carry them all the way home. It takes a lot of ambition, passion, fire, bravery and faith in going after what you really want, even if you have to try many times, in different ways and during a long period of time.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
They say that 'home is where your heart' and so I would like to say that Afia is home, not only to me but hopefully to many others. A home where real connections, expressions and culture are allowed to thrive in the name of unity and love!
Producer
Theresa Gustavsson
Theresa Gustavsson
Producer
Theresa “tr3sa” Gustavsson is a strong versatile dancer, choreographer and producer from Sweden who has worked in the dance scene since 2005. Her main focus has been within the streetdance styles; Hiphop, House, Locking & Popping, however her versatility stretches beyond these. She has a strong interest in cultural dances and she has spent a lot of time on research travels learning from different African and afro diasporan dances. In addition, she has amongst other been teaching at Stockholm University of the Arts, Ballet Academy Sthlm, Danscentrum and giving national and international workshops. Theresa is an active member of the streetdance community, traveling and participating in battles and events around the world, she also works hard for the Swedish dance scene and has been organizing over 45 events since 2006.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
“Rövarsången” from the Swedish children cult classic movie Ronja Rövardotter by Astrid Lindgren.
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Fresh fruit, right now looking at people painting aquarelle.
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Having patience and giving space for people to express by listening.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
For me AFIA is an unexpected and indescribable power for love and unity.
Producer
Yas Calasse
Yas Calasse
Producer
Yasmine is a South African Contemporary and Hip-Hop dancer. She trained with the Dance Factory and various studios in Johannesburg, South Africa. After high school Yasmine furthered her dance studies in New York City at Gibney, Peridance and Broadway Dance Center. She was a scholarship holder for Tanzwerk 101 Summer intensive. Yasmine has taught workshops and classes in many cities, choreographed for an award winning music video- Rainmaker and exhibited her work: Confinement in Cape Town (Western Province building). Yasmine has performed works by Ching-Ching Wong, Ihsan Rustem, Jennifer Archibald, Elisabetta Minutoli, Jasmin Halper, Rudi Smit and Jenny Freitag-Praxmarer. Yasmine has featured in work and collaborations for RedBull, Liberty SA, and Henricks. She is an active member in the Street scene, having participated in and won battles in South Africa. Yasmine is now performing with Comedia Theatre in Cologne and is currently working with AFIA Festival as a project leader.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
It depends on the ear worm of the day. Miss Independent by NeYo gets me every time. Open apology by NoName is a staple.
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
I am a sucker for Youtube VLOGS. Yes I want to know what you eat in a day and what your 5am morning routine is! On the real, some inspiring self betterment content out there.
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
A coexistence of qualities (honesty, respect, passionate, adventurous) and how we cultivate balance within them. An open mind and heart wins.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
AFIA to me is a breeding ground of love, energy and exchange and a platform of opportunity, release and connection.
Assistant producer / Dancer
Sibusiso Mthembu
Sibusiso Mthembu
Assistant Producer
& Dancer
Hailing from the dusty streets of Orange Farm,South Africa, Sbusiso Mthembu is not only a
professional dancer, choreographer and dance facilitator but an avid lover of the pantsula culture.
He is passionate about mentoring the up and coming youth of South Africa as well as traveling abroad to share the knowledge, history, culture and music of isiPantsula.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Song: imagine by common
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Obsession: principles of life
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Admire: disciple and hard work
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
Afia means: unity, freedom, coming together, seeing no colour, pure peace and love all this through music and dance
Artist communicator
Elvira Abarca Andronova
Elvira Abarca Andronova
Artist communicator
Elvira is from Stockholm and has Russian and Peruvian roots. Elvira studied in New York for some years and then returned to Stockholm. Elvira works as an interior designer by day, which is her creative outlet for color and design- another passion. Music is probably Elvira‘s biggest passion, you will always find her dancing to the good tunes. Especially South African music! You will most likely find me with a smile, on the dance floor, sharing only good vibes.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Paper thin, by Lianne La Havas
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Mmmm habanero!
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Positivity
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
Great channel to spread love, healing and a unique, soulful culture to the world
Project Manager
Lea Sixtl
Lea Sixtl
Project Manager
Lea is fully Austrian, born, bread and raised on Austrian soil, yet always been a little "Dora the explorer", probably fueled by her travelling for sporting competition throughout Europe and Latin America from a very young age onwards. At daytime she is a sustainability engineer and researcher, focusing on people involved and affected by various challenges. In 2019, while on a summer internship in Johannesburg, she fell in love with South Africa, its people, its culture (and food hehehe), and a few years and Jozi flights later, she discovered her love for South African dance and music end of 2022.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Uhh really depends on the day and the mood, but currently can't get enough of Sikelela by TNS and Kasango
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Peanut Butter... If a jar survives longer than a day I'd consider myself an overachiever 😅
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
I looovvee being a beginner! My inner learner loves the process of going from 0% skill/knowledge to hitting that 15% mark.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
Woza Jam Resident Dj
CHEZA
CHEZA
Woza Jam Resident Dj
Dancer/Choreographer/DJ. TV, shows, artists, tours and other companies/choreographers.
Cred. Eurovision Sweden qualification, Streetstar Tour, Bach in the street International tour, Dansnet Sweden, Swedish national Theatre, Stockholm City Theatre, Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, Polar Music Prize Ceremony, Suncebeat Festival.
Dance Competitions; Juste Debout Sweden/Scandinavia, Juste Debout Paris world finals (Semifinalist, Quarterfinalist), Baltic session Estonia, Abyss House dance experience (qualified to Washington DC, Won in DC) etc.
CHEZA’s DJ journey started out of interest in music while being active as a dancer/choreographer in the Swedish Streetdance Scene since 2006.
DJ workshops, working on projects/tours and playing at numerous events, clubs, Jams/Battles and festivals around the world.
With the unique style of bringing music genres together he’s consistently digging for more music and ways to work towards new developments and creative signatures.
Cred. Way out West Festival, The Nexus DJ Showcase (Washington DC), House Dance Day (Budapest), Clash (Copenhagen), Afrohouse Helsinki, Polar Music Prize Ceremony, Streetstar
Festival and more.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
You’ll definitely find me in the shower singing everybody loves the sunshine by Roy Ayers 🙂
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Yes, I put yogurt in my oatmeal!
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
I’m a very rhythmical person, my daily groove has a groove to it.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
Afia is a whole vibe. We are so blessed to have AFIA around, just the way they choose to highlight South African artists is amazing. Beautiful, colorful exchanges are made thanks to AFIA.
Graphic Designer
Mei-Li
Mei-Li
Graphic Designer
Mei-li is our main graphic designer. She graduated with a BFA in graphic design from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, back in 2014. Today she works full-time as graphic designer and freelances on side by teaching dance classes in urbankiz and different styles of yoga. Mei created the Pantsula logo and most of our posters throughout the years, and she is proud to have been a part of the Afia Collective since the beginning.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Depends on the season and mood, you ask me now in November so it's a mixture from "Let it snow" and "Turn your lights down low". Haha. One song that pops up every here and there is " All by myse-helf"
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Oat milk latte and licorice candy
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
I appreciate people that are purely and transparently expressive...like a breath of fresh air.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
Afia is the amazing collective who brings and shares real deal culture. I'm so happy to be a part of this team as their graphic designer.
Accountant
Roula
Roula
Accountant
Roula is from Crete, Greece, where she used to be a full-time accountant and a half-time dancer. Now, Roula is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and here she is a full-time dancer and a half-time accountant. Her first encounter with dance was through Cretan traditions and folk dance. Maybe that's why she has been always finding herself exploring movement as a way of coming together. Roula is happy to have her work experience in finance and dance come together for the intercultural project of AFIA.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Haddaway - What Is Love.
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Except chocolate, I love to imitate weird people's walking patterns on the streets, sssss it's a secret.
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
This thing that I dare to through myself in unknown situations and figure out along the way what I am dealing with.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
AFIA: Active Fun In Acknowledging....(here you can add many things,some of them) the importance of: coming together, learning together, dancing together, community building, African cultures..... and it goes on and on and on.
Dancer
Patricia ‘Gugu’ Mofokeng
Patricia ‘Gugu’ Mofokeng comes from Orange Farm,and a very multi talented dancer that is not based on one dance genre, she joined a crew called Real Actions Pantsula 2011, performed many local performances in South Africa including the biggest show competition she entered that was called Stumbo Stomp Amapantsula and won three times, and also danced for various singer artists like Chomee, AKA, Arthur and traveled to some countries in Brazil, Seychelles she performed the works or collaborated with AFIA that is based in Sweden.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Senior Oat ft Kemy Chienda-All in You.
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Obsession-I like to feel and get to know things that are being done when am traveling so I don’t want to sit in one place I want to go around and it’s a habit
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Am kind and passionate to the things that contribute to my life and makes me happy
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
AFIA means an organization that brings out the best of African culture and even brings to the people who are intrigued about this African culture and all their aspects of doings.
Patricia ‘Gugu’ Mofokeng
Dancer
Digital Content Creative
Paul Luthando
Paul Luthando
Digital Content Creative
Luthando Paul Nqambule, also know as Paul Luthando would like perceive himself as a creative and autodidact born in South Africa. His passion for music lead him to discover the elements hip-hop. In 2005 he co-founded a dance crew, Artistic Intelligence, which would work with brands such as Adidas, Converse, and Red Bull to name a few. By day Paul works at Dance Africa Network,a B2B start-up co-owned by himself and Leon Labuschagne, that provides digital & social media services.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Zoe Modiga - The healer
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Agriculture
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Empathy
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
An organization bringing like minded creatives in one space, to create change
Digital Content Creative
Leon Labuschagne
Leon Labuschagne
Digital Content Creative
Leon Labuschagne, better known as ‘Bboy Lab*A’ is no stranger to the entertainment industry. This multi-talented dancer, artist, teacher, MC, writer, videographer, editor and social media mogal – has the underground urban dance community in awe of his every move.
He is currently one of the Co-Owners of Dance Africa Network alongside Paul Luthando. They are the online digital content creatives for dance organizations such as Federation Of Dance Sport SA. Formerly he was an ambassador for Shield Men as a Judge on their #DoDance competition that takes 3 dancers to New York City for the World Of Dance tour. In addition, he received a creative excellence award for his video entry into the Yogi Sip Do It Yourself Competition in 2009, with a 9 month internship at Y&R that jet set his interests in advertising & marketing.
1. What song can we find you passionately singing in the shower?
Red Room - Haitus Kaiyote (Mo Serious edit), Zoe Modiga - The Healer
2. Secret addiction, obsession or guilty pleasure?
Gaming, scouting the latest SoundCloud producers.
3. What quality do you admire within yourself, that you notice in others too?
Gaming, scouting the latest SoundCloud producers.
4. Describe what AFIA is/means to you in one sentence?
A wonderful support for artists who are in the now and need that big break.
