SA musicians performed for President Mandela and the Queen of England at a concert in London this week. KAREN DAVIS attended a rehearsal
WHILE President Mandela was busy persuading the British to invest in South Africa and that all would be fine back home in Thabo Mbeki’s 1999, some of the country’s top musicians were also doing their bit for the national image this week. They were on show to the cream of British business and society in the Prince’s Trust Concert in London on Thursday.
Billed to be in the audience, of course, were Queen Elizabeth II and Mandela himself, the patrons of this year’s beneficiary, The Nation’s Trust — launched in South Africa during the queen’s visit here in March last year.
Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Jabu Khanyile and Bayete, Soshanguve Black Tycoons and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were all scheduled to strut their stuff in Two Nations Celebrate, along with a 30-piece big band put together by Phil Collins to pay tribute to the music of Buddy Rich. The band was to be conducted by Quincy Jones and featured guest artists like Tony Bennett and David Sanborn.
The South African line-up — chosen by the concert promoter in London, Harvey Goldsmith — represents powerful, time-tested traditions: township pop tinged with West African music and jazz, plus the rural mbube rhythms of the Tycoons and Ladysmith. It’s definitely not the place for township house, serious jazz or white rock — all of which would be a lot like taking coals to Newcastle anyway.
The concert, an annual fund-raising event, costs British companies 10 000 for booths of eight seats, plus 10 stall seats for people from communities of their choice. Last year the event raised nearly R90- million, mostly through the sale of TV rights.
But this year the money is not just for British charity. The Prince’s Trust feeds an international group of charities, The Nation’s Trust, and part of the funds will be coming our way via the local Nation’s Trust. “The trust aims to help disadvantaged young people,” said Clive Hardwich, media liaison officer, at Sun City-sponsored rehearsals for the musicians last week. Added Norman Malatjie of the trust: “There’s study support, developing young entrepreneurs and a leadership development programme.”
The South African artists had two days of rehearsals at Sol’s Folly before jetting off to London on Monday for two more days of rehearsals before the event.
Soshanguve Black Tycoons, an mbube group similar to Ladysmith Black Mambazo (“people always mix us up – — but it’s often us singing on the ads you hear, so maybe this concert will help people recognise us”) did a gorgeous number about Mozambique in the rehearsal, followed by two solo numbers by Khumalo, including one unlikely combination of samba and Sotho lyrics called MaCongo.
Masekela did his most famous tune, Stimela, while Khanyile, not at the rehearsal, was scheduled to do Mmalo-we and Umshado before the finale — Shosholoza seguing into the full Nkosi Sikel’ iAfrika, not the shortened combination with Die Stem. The musicians were due to be joined by a 100- strong choir for the finale, consisting of South African “exiles” living in London. (Surely exiles are called expatriates by now?)
“The artists are not being paid,” said Billy Domingo, Sun City’s entertainment operations manager and artistic director of the South African segment, “unless their own record companies pay them, which is what is happening with Hugh. But the Prince’s Trust pays no one — it’s all for charity.”
“I’m excited obviously,” said Khumalo, wearing tracksuit and takkies at the rehearsal and watching Domingo rehearse the backing singers, “but nervous as well because it’s got to work and it’s got to work good. But I’m sure it’ll all come together on the night.”
“No, man, you must get down and dance!” exclaimed Domingo to the women. “What’s all this hand stuff? Move your body!”
“Billy,” said a grim Khumalo, “you can’t dance like that in full-length evening gowns.”
“Well then, just lift your dress and dance,” he replied, demonstrating the skirt-lift and a sensuous wiggle. “Okay,” said Khumalo, leaping on to the stage, “but then I’m wearing really thick tights.”
And, let me tell you, there aren’t many singers who move to the music with nearly as much joy.
M-Net will screen behind-the-scenes footage of the London concert on July 18 at 6.30pm, with further coverage on Front Row at 8pm. The concert will be screened on M-Net at 8pm on July 19