Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa will introduce the work of late Lawrence Matshiza, Dr Sibongile Khumalo and Oliver Mtukudzi to a global audience of music lovers before top local student, staff and community musicians perform.
“We wish to pay homage to these musicians by celebrating their work. The tribute should signal hope for future creatives and artists to keep striving for excellence and to continue to collaborate,” says Prof Muthwa.
Isisusa has become a highlight of the performance calendar.
The Nelson Mandela University choir will also perform alongside the musicians in celebrating the work of the following artists:
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Mr Lawrence Matshiza, an accomplished musician, teacher, mentor, composer and artist, who was born in Gqeberha who died in July 2021. Through a collaboration of his family, friends and musicians, the concert will showcase some of his work.
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Dr Sibongile Khumalo who was born in Orlando West, Soweto, into a musical family. Her late father, Professor Khabi Mngoma, was an influential figure in the South African music education fraternity. This international cultural asset sang classical jazz, opera and traditional South African music and was appointed to the Order of Ikhamanga (silver) in 2008, by former President Thabo Mbeki. Sadly, she passed away in January this year. Many generations have enjoyed her vast body of work globally, as she performed around the world. In this festival, the Nelson Mandela University Choir will bring her work to life. This repertoire should open vistas of visionary imagination to create new creative knowledge, reflecting our African identity.
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The late Oliver Mtukudzi, who passed away in 2019, was not only a legendary musician and philanthropist, but also a human rights activist and a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. His genre of Afro jazz on guitar has led to many collaborations and world class hits. The choir performs a rendition of his song Neria. Zorora Murugare (Rest in Peace in Shona).
