Standing ovation for SA singers at London Jazz Festival

SOUTHAfrican singers Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman and Thandiswa Mazwai drew a standing ovation fromjazz fans as part of weekend highlights of the London Jazz Festival, a 10-day celebration of established and emerging jazz stars, which ended last night.

The festival, offering a programme of concerts, club events, talks and an expansive learning and participation programme, featured a concert on Saturday by the South African divas and their backing band, as part of the South African Season in the UK.

This initiative forms part of the SA-UK Seasons 2014-2015, a partnership between the Department of Arts and Culture in South Africa and the British Council. Top artists at the London Jazz Festival this year included Jamie Cullum, Ice-T, Average White Band, Allen Toussaint, Andy Sheppard, Natalie Williams, Dave Holland, Jarrod Lawson, Ibrahim Maalouf and Terence Blanchard.

The 950-seater Cadogan Hall in Chelsea was the venue for the concert by Khumalo and her band, with Bosman and Mazwai as her guests.

Traditional jazz standards and Khumalo’s own compositions were performed.

South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, said the department was delighted at the success of the SA-UK Seasons 2014- 2015.

“It has opened up opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange that will create networks to encourage job creation and economic self-reliance among artists.

“Our artists are custodians of the soul of this country, and help to forge stronger relations,” he said.

The Durban Music School will perform at the Dundee Jazz Festival in Scotland at the end of the month.

Take care, men urged

MEN were urged yesterday, International Men’s Day, to reflect on issues affecting them to have a more positive contribution to communities in which they lived.

The Minister of Women, Susan Shabangu, said one of the aspects men ignored, which was detrimental to themselves and society, was their failure to take better care of their health. – Mercury Correspondent

Burundi clashes kill 5

NAIROBI: At least five people were killed in overnight clashes in Burundi.

The country has descended into violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza said in April that he would run for a third term – a move opponents said violated the constitution – and went on to win a disputed election in July. – Reuters

Fisherman drowned

A MAN believed to have been fishing for crayfish drowned at Rooi Els, in the Western Cape, on Saturday.

National Sea Rescue Institute Gordons Bay and Hermanus duty crews were activated just after 9am. The body of a man was found floating in rough surf, the NSRI said. – ANA

French minister visits

PRETORIA: French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius was welcomed by President Jacob Zuma on his one-day visit to South Africa on Saturday.

He landed from India as part of aworld trip to give assurances about COP21 security in December. – Mercury Correspondent

Flight bomb threat

SINGAPORE: Passengers had to leave a plane and get their luggage after a bomb threat on a passenger flight from the US to Singapore.

Singapore Airlines confirmed the bomb threat on its flight from San Francisco.

The flight landed safely yesterday. Disembarking was delayed an hour. – dpa