The Joburg Theatre in partnership with KZN Heritage Ensemble is proud to present IJADU le Afrika, Africa Month celebrations featuring Mbuso Khoza from Friday 18th – Sunday 20th May.
The KZN Heritage Ensemble comprising of a 16-voice strong acapella outfit will be on the Mandela Stage for three shows only, fresh from a recording of Amahubo with award winning Dutch Jazz pianist, Mike del Ferro in January 2018.
The group’s founder and leader, Mbuso Khoza attributes the remarkable reception to the originality of the concept and the hunger demonstrated by music and arts consumers for authentic heritage productions.
Amahubo are ancient songs sung by Abanguni in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to mark significant events in their communities. The Abanguni griots and composers would capture all historically significant moments in songs that were then taught to future generations.
“These are therefore essential time capsules through which we can effectively take a look at the kind of issues those communities were faced with in the 17th and 18th centuries especially in the Southern African region,” said award-winning vocalist, Mbuso Khoza.
The Ensemble was formed by Khoza following 5 years of research into the origins of Amahubo, its significance and its method of presentation. Khoza said the Joburg Theatre performances were conceived to celebrate both the centenary of South Africa’s first democratically elected president Nelson Mandela as well as the legendary Zulu king Cetshwayo ka Mpande ka Senzangakhona.
Since formation in 2016, the energetic troupe has toured both in South Africa and the rest of the continent to tumultuous applause.
“Those lucky enough to secure the tickets for the Joburg Theatre shows will be mesmerized by the purity and the originality in terms of interpretation of this long abandoned art-form whose vitality still resonates so strongly more than two centuries later,” said Khoza.
Tickets are available from R150 and bookings are through Joburg Theatre’s website www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670 or through Webtickets.
The details for the performances are as follows:
Dates: 18, 19 & 20 May, 2018
Venue: Nelson Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre
Time : Friday 18th and Saturday 19th at 20h00, Sunday 20th May at 15h00
Tickets : R150 – R300
