Each time he is invited to perform at the annual jazz tribute concert in his home township of Mamelodi, Afro jazz icon Vusi Mahlasela has delivered to expectation.
Well known for his voice and the political message contained in his songs, “The Voice”, as Mahlasela is popularly known, did not disappoint on Saturday.
Mahlasela treated his fans to a an hour of uninterrupted hits, singing his favourite tunes Tonkana, Silang, Mabele, Lomhlaba, Loneliness, Pata pata, Say Africa, Weeping, When you come back and Kolotswana.
He commented about the difference between a live show and recording a CD. “You have to prepare far better for a live show than when you prepare for a CD. You have to capture the audience,” said Mahlasela.
This was the third year in a row that Mahlasela was invited to perform at the concert which pays tribute to fallen music heroes.
“You do not want to bore the audience. You have to perform the classic songs…these are the songs that most of my music fans know and like,” he said, adding the message of his songs were actually prayers for South Africa.
“Some of the songs call for unity and action to end poverty. Only 2% of South Africa’s population is involved in agriculture, which is a major sector of the economy,” he said.
Mahlasela founded the Vusi music development doundation which offers music lessons at the SA State Theatre, a stone’s throw from the seat of government.
This is a far cry from the days when the government of the day held him in solitary confinement for writing songs about dignity, revolution, peace and life.
Mahlasela delved into his music as therapy for the broken soul of himself and his fans. And the prayer-like music, which earned him the title of ‘The Voice’, earned him international acclaim and invitations to perform with the Dave Matthews band, Sting, Paul Simon, Taj Mahal and others.
One of his better-known songs, When you come back became the anti-apartheid movement’s anthem.
“We just want to come and celebrate everyone who contributed to the South African music industry,” he said.
The multi-talented Mahlasela is also a member of the Ancestors of Africa poetry group and the Congress of South African writers.
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