More than 300 gather at Victoria University for African Cultural Day as young mayor leads celebration of community

More than 300 students, staff and community members filled Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus on Wednesday for African Cultural Day, a celebration of the continent’s diverse cultures that organisers say marks a significant moment for community connection in Melbourne’s west.

The event, which featured live music, traditional dance performances and authentic African cuisine, drew attendees from across the university and surrounding suburbs. For many, it was more than a festival – it was an affirmation of belonging in a region where African communities have long been a vital part of the social fabric.

Sarah Konteh, one of the organisers said: “As VUSU Cultural Diversity Officer, I am incredibly proud to have brought this event to life. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to its success and to the more than 300 people who showed up ready to celebrate“.

A performer at the VU at the event . (Photo source Sarah Konteh/Linkedin)

Maribyrnong Mayor Cr Mohamed Semra, who attended the event, said the celebration reflected the strength of a community that has often had to fight for recognition.

“It’s incredibly powerful to see our young people and our community celebrated in a space like this,” Cr Semra told the gathering. “Growing up as a Sudanese-Australian in Melbourne’s west, I know what it means to feel like you don’t belong. Events like this tell our young people that their culture is not something to hide – it’s something to be proud of.”

The Mayor, who at 27 is one of Australia’s youngest mayors and the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to hold the office in the country, has built a reputation as a human rights advocate and social entrepreneur dedicated to building leadership capacity among young people across Melbourne’s west. His presence at the event underscored the growing political representation of African-Australian communities in the region.

The Mayor didn’t just keep to the stage. As the Dancers of Africa heated up the floor, Semra stepped into the circle, trading his formal blazer for a few spontaneous moves that drew cheers and laughter from the crowd. For a brief moment, the politician disappeared – and just another community member celebrating alongside students and families took his place.

For student organisers, the day was about more than entertainment.

“It’s about showing that we exist, that we have a voice, and that our cultures are something worth celebrating,” said a student representative from the VU African Association, who helped coordinate the event. “A lot of African students on campus have never seen anything like this before – a space where we can be unashamedly African and share that with everyone else. That means everything.”

Mohamed Semra, Mayor of Maribyronong, enjoying a moment at the event (Photo source; Linked)

The campus came alive with performances from Alariya Live Band, One Spirit Africa, Culture Queenz and Dancers of Africa, while food trucks The Real Jerk and Jollof Vibes served dishes ranging from Jamaican-influenced Caribbean fare to West African staples. DJ Jenny kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.

The event comes at a time when Maribyrnong – one of Melbourne’s most culturally diverse municipalities, home to people from more than 80 countries – has been increasingly recognising and supporting African cultural expression. The Little Africa Night Market in Footscray, supported by Maribyrnong City Council, has become a fixture of the local calendar, while community initiatives such as the African Women Sewing Group and World Africa Day celebrations continue to build connections across the city.

For Victoria University, which has long positioned itself as a hub for students from diverse backgrounds, the event represented an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric and create something tangible.

A view of attendees enjoying African music at the festival

“It’s a reminder of what becomes possible when our university community creates space for culture to be celebrated openly and joyfully,” the VUSU Cultural Diversity Officer said in remarks to the crowd.

As the afternoon wound down and the last drums faded, attendees lingered – talking, eating, laughing. For many, the day was not an endpoint but a beginning.

“We’re excited for what’s to come with the VU African Association,” the student organiser added. “This is just the start.”