Queen Latifah set to spice up concert
SHE may not be embarking on the mandatory African safari or taking in the view from Table Mountain, but Grammy winner Queen Latifah will eat bobotie and tuck into a bunny chow or two.
Queen Latifah and Oscar-winning rapper Common are headed to South Africa for the Aids Healthcare Foundation’s Keep the Promise concert and rally in Durban on Saturday, ahead of the 21st International Aids Conference.
The duo are lending their support to the foundation’s call for global funding to end HIV/Aids.
Queen Latifah and Common have taken to Twitter over the past month to encourage South Africans to attend the free concert and rally.
Common, with John Legend and Rhymefest, last year won the Academy Award for best original song in a motion picture for the movie Selma. He will share the stage on Saturday with Mi Casa and Big Nuz.
Queen Latifah is also hoping “to jump in for a bar or two”.
She told the Sunday Times: “HIV/Aids is an issue that we just can’t hide from any more.
“The only way to win this battle is to have people understand what it is and how it can be prevented.
“I hope that my role in Keep the Promise 2016 can help spread more awareness and serve as a step forward in putting an end to Aids.”
Common, who will perform the award-winning hit Glory, said his uncle had died of an Aids-related illness, “so I know how detrimental this disease is”.
Apart from her official duties, Queen Latifah is eager to sample South Africa’s food during her whirlwind visit.
“I am so excited to experience some of South Africa’s unique culture. I’ve heard so many great things about the country — especially the food.
“I can’t wait to try some of that bobotie and bunny chow.”
Online food magazine Bon Appétit described her as an “adventurous eater” who has tried blowfish and even tasted her dad’s fried rabbit — “a traumatic experience: I was a big Bugs Bunny fan”.
Famous for her roles in Hollywood hits such as Set It Off, Bringing Down the House, Chicago and Ice Age, Queen Latifah is fired up about the release of the latest instalment of the animated hit film, which opened on Friday in South Africa.
Queen Latifah, who is back as the woolly mammoth Ellie, counts her Ice Age co-stars Ray Romano, Jennifer Lopez, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo as family.
“Having had the opportunity to work with this group for the past four films has been incredibly special to me. Each adventure just keeps getting better and crazier.
“Since the beginning, Ice Age has shown how all different species and creatures from different walks of life can get along and become family.
“That is a beautiful message, especially with everything that is going on in the world right now. I think the audience will really enjoy what they’ve come up with this time.”
She is disappointed that she won’t be able to do much sightseeing in South Africa.
“Unfortunately my time is limited right now since I am currently shooting a film. But I promise that I will be back soon.”
I can’t wait to try some of that bobotie and bunny chow