‘Sounds of Gqeberha’ swings into action again

The second concert in the Sounds of Gqeberha series has a new line-up at the Savoy Theatre tomorrow with music, song and spoken word on the programme.

Since its first round in March, the Nelson Mandela Bay project has grown and its producer, Litha-Xhanti HewittColeman, is hoping to draw in a larger audience.

“It has the same purpose as the first show, which is to unite people from different cultures through ubuntu,” the founder of Lathitha Productions said.

“We are ready to tell our stories, and to expand and grow this project,” he said.

“It’s an exciting show that’s going to bring about change, it needs to carry on from the success of the first.”

He said the March production attracted a full-house but was held in a smaller space due to lockdown restrictions.

However, for this weekend’s event, the cast would be able to use the main stage at the Savoy Theatre.

Vocalists Khanyisile Peppeta and Harmony Chiedza join Hewitt-Coleman as co-directors for a concert whose material Hewitt-Coleman describes as very raw and spiritually rooted.

Celebrated Bay jazz singer Asanda Mqiki is also part of the Sounds of Gqeberha creative team and, though not singing on Saturday, her powerful voice will feature later in the series.

In partnership with the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) and the PE Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the young crew is planning a bigger event this time around, with paintings on display and a few market stalls selling food and jewellery.

Tomorrow , BayFM radio presenter Marianah Lourens will share her journey of staying in the city.

The veteran theatre personality will surround herself with a cast of poets and storytellers like Jody Koesnel, Peppeta, Chiedza and Sivuyisiwe Nxawe.

Then Sibabalwe “SaraBi” Ngewu takes to the stage for her debut solo performance, sharing in song a soulful journey of love, joy and hardship.

A five-piece band will back up the vocal team with the diverse flavours of Afro-soul, traditional Xhosa music and jazz.

Sounds of Gqeberha pays tribute to the city’s artistic legends and the plan is to feature 20 to 25 Bay artists throughout the year.

In March, singer Andy Ndlazilwana was the first headliner, when she paid tribute to her grandfather, jazz legend Victor Ndlazilwana, in song.

Doors open at 4pm and tickets are R100 at the door, or available from Hewitt-Coleman on WhatsApp: 065-330-2357.