Mtukudzi and Mapfumo will first perform in Bloemfontein in a star-studied Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) line-up, alongside such world greats like the USA duo of Johnny Gill and Bebe Winans.
The October 8 gig will also see popular locals, Thandiswa Mazwai, Selaelo Selota, Zakes Bantwini and HHP, among others, belt out their stuff alongside the renowned Zimbabwean musicians.
The Main Festival at MACUFE, where the two Zimbabwean masters of song will perform, is renowned as the most popular and anticipated annual outdoor concert in South Africa and will be held at the Loch Logan Rose Garden.
“The 2011 edition of the Main Festival continues a proud tradition of presenting the biggest summer party in South Africa, and attracting music fans from all four corners of the country,” said Dudu Dlamini, spokesperson for Zenone, who are one of the organisers of the show, who also sang praises of the Zimbabweans.
“Featuring US R ‘n’ B greats Bebe Winans and Johnny Gill, a duo of Zimbabwean superstars – Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi and a line-up of some of South Africa’s most popular performers, the Main Festival will, once again showcase the best of the best in a programme packed with powerful performances. It’s time to plan! It’s time to get excited! It’s time to get ready for the party of the year!”
Songbird Maraire will link-up with her countrymen at the Zim-Za Music Festival in the Ellis Park Arena, downtown Johannesburg the following day – October 9.
“It’s a big first, generating an even bigger sense of anticipation as lovers of chimurenga music and traditional Zimbabwean pop await not one, not two, but three of Zimbabwe’s greatest cultural icons making magic on stage,” said the organisers in a recent statement.
“Thomas Mapfumo, the legendary father of chimurenga (struggle) music in Zimbabwe and his band The Blacks Unlimited, Oliver Mtukudzi, the BIG voice of southern Africa, and his band The Black Spirits and Chiwoniso Maraire, the master of Zimbabwean mbira music.”
Post published in: Entertainment