{"id":12009,"date":"2022-08-10T14:19:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T14:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/local-cultural-and-rastafarian-communities-lose-rwa-daniel-a-loyal-of-son-of-africa-through-his-commitment-in-promoting-the-continents-local-cultural-influence-and-heritag"},"modified":"2022-08-10T16:12:18","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T16:12:18","slug":"local-cultural-and-rastafarian-communities-lose-rwa-daniel-a-loyal-of-son-of-africa-through-his-commitment-in-promoting-the-continents-local-cultural-influence-and-heritag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/local-cultural-and-rastafarian-communities-lose-rwa-daniel-a-loyal-of-son-of-africa-through-his-commitment-in-promoting-the-continents-local-cultural-influence-and-heritag","title":{"rendered":"Local cultural and Rastafarian communities lose \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 A loyal of son of Africa, through his commitment in promoting the continent\u2019s local cultural influence and heritage, Danny Nicholas Dufrene, affectionately known as \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 left us suddenl"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Seychelles. <\/strong><\/span>A loyal of son of Africa, through his commitment in promoting the continent\u2019s local cultural influence and heritage, Danny Nicholas Dufrene, affectionately known as \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 left us suddenly on Sunday morning.<\/b><\/p>\n

The untimely demise of \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 came as a shock for everyone who knew him, both for his artistic talent, as well as his good sense of humanity, especially in spreading the good words, and always providing good advice to others.<\/p>\n

Considered as an elder by the local Rastafarian community, \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was born on November 10, 1959 and is the second in a family of seven children. He also has three older siblings from his father\u2019s previous relationship.<\/p>\n

Born and raised in the district of Bel Air, he started working at Modern Printing, before moving to Silhouette Cruise when the company closed.<\/p>\n

Married for 38 years, \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 has a son and a daughter, and has also been blessed with one grandchild.<\/p>\n

He has been described as an exemplary father, being a friend, mentor, counsellor and advisor to his children.<\/p>\n

During his early days, \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was also active in sports where he was part of the Bel Air football team, playing alongside the likes of Vernay Dubois and Alex Labiche.<\/p>\n

It was his passion for music and poetry that led him onto the local artistic scene, performing alongside \u2018Bling Bling Poetry\u2019 \u2013 where he gained the status of honorary member \u2013 and also chanting and playing his Djembe drums at various local formal events.<\/p>\n

He was also a co-founder of the Africa Friendship Association (Afa), along with the late Achille \u2018Kwame\u2019 Luc.<\/p>\n

The association has represented the country at many international forums, including a United Nations workshop on discrimination in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2011 where some 20 African states were represented. It was aimed at promoting African culture and arts.<\/p>\n

Through Afa, along with \u2018Kwame\u2019, \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 has helped to host exhibitions on great African personalities and Seychellois with African diaspora.<\/p>\n

They also gave talks in schools on African perspectives, teaching percussion, and also took part in exchange programmes with the crew on board the \u2018Peace Boat\u2019 during its regular visits.<\/p>\n

It was the success of activities organised by Afa that brought recognition from the Ministry of Culture at that time, and led to their joining forces and hosting what is known today as \u2018FetAfrik\u2019 \u2013 the annual event in May showcasing African culture and tradition.<\/p>\n

For that, \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 received an award of recognition from the Mayor of Victoria David Andre for his contribution.<\/p>\n

\u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 also partnered with DJ Clint Alexander in performing as the Rockers Almighty sound system, known for their roots Reggae performance, especially their dubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a great loss for Rockers Almighty sound system and for everyone who knew him,\u201d said DJ Clint who also noted that \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was a humble soul, who stood firm for Rastafari and always promoting peace and love.<\/p>\n

He added that \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 really loved the song entitled \u2018War\u2019 by Bob Marley which has been extracted from an address made by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to the United Nations on October 6, 1963.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever we were performing together or reasoning and talking about spirituality, he always had a good spirit, and when he was on the microphone, he was like a poet, touching people\u2019s soul with his teaching,\u201d added DJ Clint.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen my work is over, I will fly away home was our last song played together, and he would say, \u2018forever loving Jah\u2019,\u201d DJ Clint said.<\/p>\n

Tony \u2018Raspyek\u2019 Joubert of Bling Bling Poetry remembers \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 as a Rastafari elder who led chant during Nyahbinghi gatherings of Rastafarians to celebrate and commemorate key dates significant to Rastafari throughout the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a big brother, a father, and our relationship went beyond friendship,\u201d added Raspyek, who said that at the moment, this is the main cause of heartache, when thinking that \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 is not around anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had supported me all throughout my poetic journey since the beginning, be it with a chant, or a prayer, or even moral support,\u201d said Raspyek who added that \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was always present with his djembe at every single recital, also adding backing vocal.<\/p>\n

Raspyek further added that \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was a cool and calm person, always ready to listen, pacifying many situations and sharing love.<\/p>\n

\u201cLive good and let your work be seen was his famous quote,\u201d added Raspyek, saying \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019s absence is already being felt, and always will be heartbreaking.<\/p>\n

Young poet Loura Barra, also from Bling Bling, described \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 as a good, decent, honest and loyal person, always joyful and walked around with a positive energy, touching everyone around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the Bling Bling Poetry family, he was our big brother, always around, never missed one of our meetings or functions, and that is how joyful and kind-spirited \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019 was,\u201d said Loura, who further added that he will be greatly missed, but forever remembered.<\/p>\n

Seychelles NATION<\/b><\/p>\n

wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of \u2018Rwa Daniel\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018When my work is over, I will fly away home\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n\r\n