The Arts Alive 2011 Festival brings together some of the region’s top songstresses, both young and old, in a show titled Flame!
South Africa’s Judith Sephuma duels with youthful Zimbabwean singer Dudu Manhenga and the veteran Mozambican musician known simply as Mingas. Manhenga, who is always dressed in a turban and long, flowing dresses, is comfortable in many genres (reggae, Afro-jazz, even rumba).
She has just put out an album, titled I Have Been Embraced, and will show South Africans why she has become one of Zimbabwe’s household names. To complement the youthful fervour of Manhenga, the show presents the University of Cape Town-educated Sephuma. Mingas (born Domingas Eliza Salatiel), who has been in the business since the 1970s, will no doubt want to show why she has lasted all these decades. The widely travelled Mozambican once worked with legendary singer Miriam Makeba and has shared the stage with top musicians such as Brazilian Gilberto Gil.
Moyo, Zoo Lake, Parkview, on September 16. The event will begin at 7pm. R60 at Computicket and R80 at the door.