Photographer: Onkgopotsi Matlawe
From an insider's perspective, one can testify that the event was so rewarding yet highly stressful! For one, the organisers managed to pull it off with virtually no funding. Thanks to the partnership between IKS, Urban Voices, Drakensburg Promotions and Catz Pyjamas, this was an incredibly memorable event.
From an insider's perspective, one can testify that the event was so rewarding yet highly stressful! For one, the organisers managed to pull it off with virtually no funding. Thanks to the partnership between IKS, Urban Voices, Drakensburg Promotions and Catz Pyjamas, this was an incredibly memorable event.
Ayanda Khumalo's beautiful voice and supreme elegance...
Tau ea Matsekha were supposed to perform as a trio. They decided, at the last minute, to bring 12 performers. There was much miscommunication...a classical example of "Don't listen to what I say, listen to what I mean" but when they started performing, their charm took over. Some wished they would have performed for much longer.
The organisers then had to ask Tlale Makhene to perform for a bit longer than as scheduled. Thank goodness he was prepared...he then went into a trance that sucked Sibongile Khumalo right in. Tlale Makhene and Sibongile Khumalo did an impromptu performance that was out of this world!
Wouter Kellerman blew us away with his beat-boxing/flute improvisation. People thought he would grab Tlale Makhene for rhythmical support but the man was absolutely phenominal just on his own. He really takes the flute to another level. Once you see him live, you will never look at the flute the same way again:-)
The show continued, the organisers only found out an hour before that Bheki Khoza would be willing to perform that night. They had communicated with him during the course of the week tirelessly but could not get a confirmation. Talk about adrenaline overcharge...but when he got on that stage, it was as if one was taken back to the 70's, the days of Miriam Makeba and Dolly Rathebe...hmmmmm...soothing...
Blondie Makhene & his band gave us their all! He sang songs of the Sangoma African traditional healers with a gospel, soulful twist that was heartfelt! Finally, he dragged his daughter Latoya Mangezi from the audience to the stage. Oh boy, she had everyone's heart on the palms of her hand by the time she was done!
As soon as Phuzekhemisi started performing. Everybody got up - fascinated and glad they had cancelled their business trips out of town for this concert. An audience member said she felt the power of music as a healing force that night.
