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Mayibuye iAfrika Concert: A celebration of exiled South African musicians and composers

Renowned South African guitarist Billy Monama will bring us closer to our past to help us reimagine our future during Heritage Month in September when he joins a number of legendary South African artists like Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Judith Sepuma and Titi Luzipo live on stage in Johannesburg.

During a one-night-only limited-tickets concert called Mayibuye iAfrika: The Freedom Songs, Monama will present a musical journey and conversation between two generations of ancestral artists, finally culminating in a reminder of what makes South African music resonate deeply with Africans and the rest of the world.

From the choice of venue to scholarly discussions around the concert and its celebratory participants, the concert aims to be a “re-visioning of heritage music for modern ears,” says Monama.

The concert will be held at the iconic Theatre of Struggle – the Market Theatre in Newtown Johannesburg – on 9 September 2023. In two parts, the event will pay homage to a first exile generation of indomitable composers and a second exile generation of musicians.

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

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Under the direction of Monama and led by The Grazroots Project Orkestra, the second segment will pay tribute to the anti-apartheid stalwarts and towering figures in the local and international music landscape, Letta Mbulu,  Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela.

The musical spectacular will also feature contemporary artists who specialise in different South African music genres and across a range of historical time frames. The pieces will showcase legendary drummer, saxophonist, composer and activist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, award-winning, afro-funk, jazz and gospel singer Judith Sephuma, and a household name in the Afro Jazz and soul genres Titi Luzipo, as well as a surprise guest artist.

The concert will be a feast for music scholars, aspiring and current musicians, as well as Maskandi, Kwela, Mbaqanga and African jazz connoisseurs and fans.

”This is a journey created to heal through song and reawaken consciousness as we revisit South African classics that celebrate past South African composers and musicians,” adds Monama.

Mayibuye iAfrika: The 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 teacher 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. Early bird tickets are sold at R280 until 16 August 2023.

For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:

Thando Dhaza – thando@tishalacommunications.com | +27 79 429 8263

OR

Nomsa Mdhluli – nomsa@tishalacommunications.com | +27 71 628 6231

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