Durban ICC Arena - May 25, 2013
DURBAN: The African Renaissance Festival and Conference will host the annual Africa Day Concert to celebrate African unity by reflecting the continent’s dynamic talent through musical performances by Mafikozolo, Zonke and Professor on Saturday, May 25 at 6pm at the ICC Arena in Durban.
Africa Day (May 25), marks the founding day of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and for many years has been a celebration of African unity. This was the first time that African Heads of State and Government got together in an effort to define Africa on its own terms and to be responsible for the continent’s shared destiny.
The African Day Concert takes place during the African Renaissance Festival, which began 15 years ago in an endeavour to reignite Africa’s own belief in itself and in its potenital to develop its own resources. The concert will feature some of the biggest names on the SA music scene: award-winning vintage-inspired Afro-Pop outfit Mafikizolo,the soul sensation Zonke and kwaito star Professor, with Linda Sibiya as the host and MC.
Their name may mean 'new kids on the block, who just arrived yesterday' in isiZulu, but Mafikizolo is no newcomer. This vibrant, stylish group of two comprising Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza have created a delicious dance of brew by mixing old and new South African sounds, have released seven hit-filled Afro-pop albums, sold over a million copies, picked up countless awards including eight SAMA's, and is undoubtedly one of the most successful groups in South Africa.
Born to a drummer father, soul sensation Zonke Dikana caught the musical bug at an early age, but her big break came in 1997 when Anneline Malebo, her father’s new wife, and a member of the successful group, Joy, introduced her to fellow artist Joe Nina. Zonke recently won Best Female Album for Ina Ethe at the MetroFM awards and continues to dazzle audiences with her soulful sounds.
Interestingly, Zonke came to stardom via her songwriting skills resulting in her collaborating and writing for international and local musicians.With her track record of hits behind her, she is one of the most sought-out producers in the Afro-pop and urban genre. Zonke has written chart-topping tracks for artists such as Black Coffee, Mafikizolo, Don Laka, Tshepo Tsholo, Theo Kgosinkwe and many others over the years and worked at Kalawa Jazzmee as their premier songwriter.She now has her own recording company, Leely Music.
Professor, the kwaito star from KwaZulu Natal who is well known for his hits which include the sensational Jezebel, has come a long way since his early days with T’zozo. He walked off with two of the biggest awards at the Metro FM awards in Durban recently - Song of the Year for Jezebel and Best Kwaito Album for University of KalawaJazmee, so named to acknowledge the KalawaJazmee Records family who took him under their wings. Professor, like Zonke cites Joe Nina as being instrumental in his growth as a musician, along with Black Coffee and his group Shana.
The concert will start at 6pm until late at the Durban ICC Arena and tickets are R100 and are available from Computicket. For more information and the full African Renaissance programme, contact reception@wozani.co.za or telephone 031-266 9792
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