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Wednesday, May 16, 2018

KZN HERITAGE ENSEMBLE AT JOBURG THEATRE


(Mbuso Khoza)

The Joburg Theatre in partnership with KZN Heritage Ensemble will present IJADU le Afrika, Africa Month celebrations featuring Mbuso Khoza from May 18 to 20, 2018.

The KZN Heritage Ensemble comprising 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 17th and 18th 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 five 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 its formation in 2016, the energetic troupe has toured 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 mesmerised 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,” promised Khoza.

Performances take place on the Nelson Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre on May 18 and 19 at 20h00 and on May 20 at 15h00. Tickets R150 – R300 booked through Joburg Theatre's website www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670 or through Webtickets.