There was an electric atmosphere at Guga S’thebe on Sunday May 14 as Imbewu Marimba Community Project and young performers celebrated Langa’s centenary.
The Imbewu ensemble put on a performance that should not be missed by any marimba or jazz fan.
Khayelitsha’s songstress Linomtha Linoh also made sure to take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions. Her powerful performance got the fans on their feet. It was lovely to hear her sultry voice belting out hits like Bhonyongo, Ndiyala and Krwebede.
Perhaps one of the best performers that the genre of music has birthed, was Buyelekhaya Traditional dancers from Khayelitsha and Ithemba Labantu Marimba Band from Philippi. The youthful groups showed one doesn’t have to be from the 70s to make good music.
Founder of Imbewu Mzubanzi Tema, who is also one of the directors, as an advocate of indigenous music, said he saw a need for an organisation that could serve as a home for indigenous musicians.
“It has been proven that indigenous musicians face tremendous challenges, to name but a few, not sufficiently embraced by the domestic market, drug and substance abuse. We have jazz legends such as Sylvia Mdunyelwa and acclaimed actor Kwezi Kobus serves as directors and aid in the inclusion of art as a whole in this non-profit’s endeavours. The organisation was established to conceptualise and produce initiatives of an economic and self development nature in the interests of young artists and to ensure self-sufficiency for the organisation,” he said.
The event on Sunday was part of the Langa centenary celebrations, as a precursor event.
Tema said the aim was to celebrate legends of marimba in South Africa collaboratively with the youth. The day was a success as anticipated outputs had been reached with young and old artists working together, connecting youth with rehearsal spaces.
The day was closed with Marimba Xplosion Ensemble under the musical direction of Makhosonke Mrubata and Tema.
