Let s celebrate our musical heritage
LAST week I was privileged to witness very special events in the history of South African music.
Firstly, I attended the Moshito Music Conference which was a great success.
This was followed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s 56th anniversary concert at the Joburg Theatre.
I also went to Orlando Stadium where there was a Thank You SABC concert.
At this concert I was so happy to see legendary artists like Condry Ziqubu, William Mr Everything” Mthethwa and Zinzi Khongo.
I was impressed by their quality performances.
I asked myself why are we deprived of such great talent at festivals?
Another question that boggled my mind was: Is there a retirement stage in the music industry?
If not, do we let such great talent go to waste by not including them in festival line-ups?
Why can’t we learn from countries like the US where legendary artists like Kool & the Gang, The O’Jays and The Temptations are still performing.
This also allows their fans to enjoy a generational mix as their music has not faded since early 1970s.
It was also great to witness a mixed audience where all race groups were represented at the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.
The major shift of 90% local music content may have positive and negative reactions, but it’s a great move for South African music.
It’s actually a rebirth of local music and the true meaning of liberation to artists.
When you look at Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the early 1970s, they were the top-selling group in SA with their hit album It was also the first album by a black group to hit gold status.
This simply means for so many years local artists have been producing high-quality music, but did not enjoy airplay until the 90% quota was introduced.
As we celebrate Heritage Month it is important to salute our veteran artists who have stood the test of time and managed to entertain millions of music lovers when it was not that entertaining to be an artist.
Some of our music legends were arrested on their way to or from concerts during the apartheid era.
Under those difficult conditions our music legends did not stop spreading a message of peace, love and hope for better future.
We must also thank Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa for starting a living legend programme where artists like Dorothy Masuku, Abigail Kubheka and many others visit various communities and impart skills to emerging artists and the youth.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s mobile academy programme was also held at Soweto Theatre last Thursday.
They addressed about 200 children from different schools around Soweto and were well received.
This initiative will keep our unique African sound in the hearts of many generations.
This programme will also inspire young musicians to treasure and value our own music.
Let us celebrate our heritage through music. CASPER NYOVEST is looking helluva phly since he hit the gym. We do hope that when he manages to fill up the Orlando stadium not staduim like his failed Tshirts say that he will invest in an education.
AKA really needs to grow the hell up. Shwa figures his I’m Single” status came after a minor argument with Bonang. Keep your love off these streets you saw where failed relationships got the both of y’all.
Carol Tshabalala sure showed Lerato Kganyago, hey. Girl went and scored herself a broadcasting gig in the UK. Kudos to you honey. Now play nice over there.
Euphonik has joined 94.7 Highveld Stereo. 5FM sure is sinking fast. But Shwa wonders if this was a good move aaah well, his music ain’t catering for me and my people no more, so who cares!