This year’s Mzansi Fela Festival (MFF) lineup has been expanded to include Thandiswa Mazwai, The Soil, Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O, Langa Mavuso, and Berita.
The 15th annual Mzansi Fela Festival, which began on Thursday, will be held at the South African State Theatre (SAST) in Tshwane until December 18.
The musical and dance showcase will feature critically acclaimed musicians such as Zonke, KB Motsilanyane, and Mbuso Khoza, as well as the riveting dance piece “Kontroller,” directed by Muzi Macaleni Shili and Oscar Buthelezi.
“Kontroller” questions the status of political power. Power and time are intertwined in it, leading audiences on a controlled gestural movement of hip hop and pantsula to the contemporary fusion of cultures.
Tumi Mogorosi, a South African drummer and composer, will also present something beyond the “confines of Black survival” from his popular album “Group Theory: Black Music” at this year’s festival. Mogorosi will be performing on Saturday, December 3.
For the third year in a row, the MFF will feature the Banda Banda Agency’s “Phinda Mzala” series of concerts.
This year’s series will feature musicians Mavuso and The Soil on Saturday, December 10, and Berita and Bongeziwe Mabandla on Sunday, December 11.
“Phinda Mzala” is a call to action, a call to relive musical experiences centred on the urban African imaginary while celebrating stories of identity, social plights such as gender-based violence (GBV), and much-needed healing for humanity as a result of Covid-19 and many other pandemics.
On Saturday, December 17, the award-winning jazz band Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O will perform alongside folk and soul singer Maleh and the unboxed BONJ.
The three acts will appear under the SAST Fringe banner, which is presented in collaboration with Akum Agency.
“Now in its second season, SAST Fringe provides opportunities for working artists that have been on the fringe but depend on their artistic and technical talents for a living.
“It is dominated by musicians who are producing music to enter the mainstream or commercial scene,” read the SAST media statement.
Mazwai is set to close out this 2022 instalment with a bang on Sunday, December 18.
She has long been regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential musicians. Her career began in 1995 with Bongo Maffin, one of the kwaito era’s pioneering bands.
She launched a solo career after six award-winning albums with Bongo Maffin.
During the festive season, Mzansi Fela Festival has provided a stage for local stars to showcase their talent in music, theatre, dance, comedy, and poetry for the past 15 years.
Check out the full programme below.
Kontroller – 1- 4 December.
Tumi Mogorosi – December 3.
KB Motsilanyane – December 4.
Comedy Society – December 9.
Isandlwana Walk Launch by Mbuso Khoza – December 9.
Blaklez and PdotO – December 9.
Mavuso and The Soil – December 10.
Berita and Bongeziwe – December 11.
Maleh, Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O and BONJ – December 17.
Lifted – “Let the blind sing” – December 14-18.
Thandiswa Mazwai – December 18.
For more information and ticket prices visit statetheatre.co.za.
Main Image: Thandiswa Mazwai/ Bona Magazine
The post Thandiswa Mazwai, Tumi Mogorosi, and Berita will perform at the 15th Mzansi Fela Festival in 2022 appeared first on Entertainment SA - South African Entertainment News, Celebrity and Lifestyle Online Magazine & Entertainment.
Post a Comment