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Abigail Kubeka Joins Mayibuye iAfrika Freedom Songs Concert

Legendary Soweto songbrid Abigail Kubeka has been announced as the surprise guest star at the one-night-only limited-tickets Mayibuye iAfrika Concert: A Celebration of Exiled Musicians and Composers.

Renowned South African guitarist Billy Monama, the driving force and producer of this important cultural event, will also be performing with several other legendary South African artists including Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Judith Sepuma and Titi Luzipo live on stage in Johannesburg.

“We had hoped to keep Abigail’s presence on stage a secret for a while longer, but a stage performance in Johannesburg from Abigail Kubeka is something you cannot keep a lid on for long,” says an excited Billy Monama.

Monama confirmed that Abigail Kubeka would join the legendary line-up, setting up the Mayibuye iAfrika concert as the not-to-be-missed musical event of the year. Monama also confirmed that ticket sales are approaching sold-out with only a small number left – he urged the public and African music fans with an appreciation of Black Consciousness and African Freedom Struggle History to book before it was too late.

The concert will be held at the iconic Theatre of Struggle – the Market Theatre in Newtown Johannesburg – on 9 September 2023. Conducted in two parts by Grammy-Award Winning composer JB Arthur, the event will pay homage to a first exile generation of indomitable composers and a second exile generation of musicians.

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Part one will comprise choral freedom songs from the earliest compositions of ANC exiles in Tanganyika, now Tanzania. The fresh arrangement will feature work by Vuyisile Mini, Zinakele Nkaba and Wilson Khayinga.

Under the direction of Monama and led by The Grazroots Project Orkestra featuring bandleaders and composers: Sydney Mavundla, Lucas Senyatso, Themba Mokoena and Mduduzi Mtshali, the second segment will pay tribute to the anti-apartheid stalwarts and towering figures in the local and international music landscape, Letta Mbulu, Dorothy Masuka, Busi Mhlongo, Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela.

Mayibuye iAfrika: The South African Freedom Songs will be remembered as vital to documenting and disseminating South Africa’s generational music knowledge and a source of musical inspiration.

About Billy Monama:

A guitarist since 1997, composer, arranger and author Billy Monama has gone on to perform and record with a host of South Africa’s legends including Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Mbongeni Ngema, Abigail Kubeka and others. While his music is often ineffable, Monama exalts South Africa’s jazz genius through his arrangements and performances.

Notes to Editors:

Artists featured in the line-up are available for radio, print and TV interviews.

Tickets are available at web tickets at R350 per person, tickets for pensioners and students available at R175.