South African diva, Sibongile Khumalo, sings with the Jack Dejohnette Trio, from the USA, in a piece called “Intercontinental”, at the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival 31 March 2007.
AFP PHOTO/RODGER BOSCH (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
Sibongile Khumalo’s golden voice to be honoured at drive-in concert [listen]
SA’s ‘First Lady of Song’ Sibongile Khumalo always lit up the stage with her powerful voice. She will be honoured at an upcoming drive-in concert.
South African diva, Sibongile Khumalo, sings with the Jack Dejohnette Trio, from the USA, in a piece called “Intercontinental”, at the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival 31 March 2007.
AFP PHOTO/RODGER BOSCH (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
Sibongile Khumalo was one of South Africa’s most prominent musicians, her voice comforted many. She passed away on 28 January at the age of 63 and was regarded as one of the best singers of all time. The mutli-talented singer would’ve turned a year older on 24 September.
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SIBONGILE KHUMALO REMBERED
The Thula Mama singer will be honoured at a drive-in concert at the Sandton City rooftop in Johannesburg on 24 September. The concert will be a three-day affair with the first day dedicated to Sibongile Khumalo.
CEO of T-Musicman Mantwa Chinoamadi-Mutshinya told Sowetan that because Sibongile Khumalo was born on 24 September, she will be honoured with a concert titled “Uhadi”.
“We have commissioned artists like Gloria Bosman, McCoy Mrubata, Feya Faku, Paul Hanmer, Herbie Tsoaeli and Justin Badenhost [who] will present a performance in celebrating her life for the role she played in the music industry.”
Chinoamadi-Mutshinya says due to Covid-19 they have had to think outside of the box, thus the idea for the drive-in concert was born.
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SIBONGILE KHUMALO’S LEGACY
Sibongile Khumalo’s voice was adored by music lovers all over the world. Her music career began when she was eight years old.
She performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra three times and even sang the South African and New Zealand national anthems at the World Cup Rugby final in 1995, the year South Africa won the cup.
She was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver by former President Thabo Mbeki in 2008 and the following year she received an Honorary Doctorate from Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
ARTISTS PERFORMING AT THE DRIVE-IN CONCERT
The drive-in concert on 24 September will solely be dedicated to Sibongile Khumalo while other artists will light up the stage on 25 and 26 September.
With hopes to keep the spirit of jazz alive, Chinoamadi-Mutshinya and her team have secured several musicians to perform. On Saturday 25 September, pianist Bokani Dyer, Sisonke Xonti, Sthembiso Bhengu and David Cousins will be performing. Lined up for Sunday 26 September are Thandi Ntuli, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mark Fransman.
The drive-in concert on all three days will start at 19:00 and each car will be R200. Only four passengers per car will be allowed.
“The event dares to keep the jazz grooving while people observe restrictions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Chinoamadi-Mutshinya.
