Jazz maestro backs Mbeki

Globally revered South African music icon Abdullah Ibrahim, pictured, is embarking on a two-city benefit concert for the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library.

Ekaya will support Ibrahim for the shows at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg next Wednesday, and at Life Church Seapoint in Cape Town on November 29.

The concerts are being described as the confluence of Africa’s greatest minds and struggle icons. “For us, the contribution of arts was very important. It was not prescribed by anybody,” said Mbeki. “It was the artists being themselves and a very strong sense of identity came from that.”

The Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library was conceived as an African centre of excellence in learning, research and discourse for Africa’s transformation. The benefit concerts are also being supported by MNS Attorneys – one of South Africa’s leading black-owned law firms.

“Our commitment to black excellence and independence is reflected in the aims of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library and also in Abdullah Ibrahim’s exceptional and extraordinary career,” said Mncedisi Ndlovu, chairperson of MNS Attorneys. “We are thrilled to support these benefit concerts.”

Stemming from a partnership between the University of SA and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the library is a repository of Mbeki’s documents, papers and artefacts. The aim is for it to focus also on the larger context of a rapidly changing continent so it will also house the papers of other African leaders. – Citizen reporter