(Sharon Katz)The Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown is to host Sharon Katz and The Peace Train with Amakhosi O'qobo in support, presented by Castle Lager, on July 24.
“We could not resist hosting this event as, on the two previous occasions that we have had the pleasure of hosting Sharon Katz, our regulars have got a real kick out of listening to the mlungu lady singing in isiZulu,” says Rainbow Restaurant co-owner Neil Comfort. “Of course, Katz made her name around the time of South Africa's first democratic elections some 18 years ago when she took the Peace Train around South Africa, spreading the gospel of democracy. She has since relocated to Philadelphia in the United States but continues to work tirelessly for the upliftment of South Africans.
“The reason for her current visit,” Neil continues, “is to give a group of American funders a taste of South Africa and specifically to take them to the KwaMandlovu School in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, which, through the fundraising work of Katz and the Friends of the Peace Train, has now been completed with toilets. Over the past few years, Katz has been fundraising for the building of this school. The Rotary Club of Hillcrest also assisted with fundraising and project managing the actual build. The school was named by Inkosi Bhengu, the tribal leader of the area, after his late mother. From this concert at the Rainbow, the visitors will be heading for the airport and their long journey back home, so we intend to give them a rip roaring Rainbow farewell.”
Performing the opening set are graduates of Rainbow’s Sunday Jam Session program, the maskanda outfit Amakhosi O'qobo. The nine-piece outfit includes Zulu drum (as opposed to the usual drum kit), bass guitar, acoustic guitar and violin – an unusual combination to be incorporated into a maskanda set.
Sharon Katz and the Peace Train will perform on July 24. Doors open at 12 noon, with the first set just after 13h00. tickets R10 presale (R20 at the door). The Rainbow Restaurant Estd 1981 is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. More information on 031 702 9161 or 083 463 8044 or email: bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za
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