INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed composer and academic, Dr Thokozani Mhlambi is presenting a series of concerts and events for Heritage Month, embracing multiple genres and influences in and around Durban this September.
KZN-born Mhlambi is using different media and multi-cultural musicians to celebrate heritage month. He is also using the concerts to creatively explore new South African music idioms – using as a starting point the iconic cultural legacy of the late Mazisi Kunene and Princess Magogo and how it intercepts with Western classical music.
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Mhlambi, who plays a custom-designed, handmade Baroque cello with gut strings, creates innovative new work drawn from the rich heritage of KZN, while still asserting global standards of quality music-making.
“I believe that Mazisi Kunene’s words outline the role that should be played by artists, thinkers and researchers in Africa today. Their work should aim to develop a national ego. But the work itself must transcend the boundaries of the nation, in order to express the general experience of mankind,” said Mhlambi.
Mhlambi’s heritage season starts with a lunch time panel discussion at DUT Urban Future’s Centre: Towards a National Ego – New thinking on culture, public life and music in KZN and Beyond on Wednesday, 27 September from noon until 2pm. Entry is free.
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Mhlambi’s first concert will be at the Playhouse Loft on Thursday, 28 September. He takes to the stage in a solo performance entitled, Zulu Song Cycle in which he performs a compilation of songs in keeping with the spirit of KZN: taking his cues from Princess Magogo to Beethoven.
Mhlambi will be a guest of Wushwini at their fourth annual four-day arts festival titled Botho Pan African Festival – overlooking the scenic Inanda Dam in the Valley of 1000 Hills, saluting South Africa’s 23 years of democracy and the year of OR Tambo celebration.
The season culminates with a performance at the Mazisi Kunene Museum in Glenwood on Saturday, 30 September. Mhlambi has created a music and spoken word piece using extracts from one of Mazisi Kunene epic poems. This will be the world premiere of this piece! Entry is free and all are welcome.
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