Arts writer
IKHAYA le Langa will host the Under Madiba Skies music collaboration project which tours South Africa from Thursday to November 1. The ensemble consists of French band Gran Kino, Durban’s Zulu rapper Manelis, Johannesburg-based vocalist Ayanda Nhlangothi and local Afrikaans rapper Jitsvinger.
The group successfully toured France in 2013 with performances at some of the biggest world music festivals, such as Festival Generic and The Worlstock Festival, and in 2014 a visit to South America.
The project was launched in 2013 when musicians from South Africa and France came together to interpret the words of Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech through a special performance where many influences and cultures came together on one stage.
Several of Under Madiba Skies’ songs were composed through meetings between the musicians.
Whether from Durban and rapping in Zulu, contributing Johannesburg-styled vocal nuances, or Cape Town rap, the members’ vision was mutual: to come together on one stage with different languages and ideas and artistic richness.
The music embraces traditional song with rock, hip hop and acoustic piano/voice duets.
The first Under Madiba Skies single Brand New Day got playlisted on RFI (Radio France International) and other French radio stations. The song was also playlisted on radio stations in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Lebanon, Poland, Italy, Spain and Hong Kong amongst others.
The event is hosted by Alliance Française Cape Town and will be in the Langa Quarter at Ndabeni Street (corner Rubusana) opposite St Francis on Saturday at 3pm.
The Langa Quarter is the precinct that borders Ndabeni, Rubusana and Washington streets. It boasts several Homestay Hotels, street art and Ikhaya Le Langa, which is the centre where this performance will happen. Within the centre is a coffee shop, several studios and a fashion accessories shop and gallery.
The project is officially endorsed by The Nelson Mandela Foundation as a Mandela tribute. It is 20 years after the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president, his inaugural speech remains relevant to these artists.
Freedom, future, reconciliation and renewal – optimistic words, but also words with a strong symbolic value that is highlighted through the composed music. The artists involved talk about every day life, which might not always be like Mandela envisioned in his 1994 speech. They see the speech as a prophecy and feel honoured to bring his word all over the world.
l Listen to the single Brand New Day: snd.sc/1g1RLOm