Mzansi’s biggest multi-platinum selling artist Thandiswa Mazwai will join jazz legends Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu on stage at the 10th annual Mzansi Fela Festival.
After 6 award−winning albums with Bongo Maffin, #ThandiswaMazwai ventured onto a solo career, Zabalaza (2004). BOOK: https://t.co/3assKN4dXP pic.twitter.com/WMKkMYVHVl
— SA State Theatre (@sastatetheatre) November 14, 2017
The festival has been held at the SA State Theatre for the past 10 years, with different acts performing at the event over the years. It is a full programme of music, comedy, poetry, rock, hip-hop, dance and drama, from a lineup of super-talented local performers.
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Yoooooooo Lagos here we come, @AFRIMAWARDS @thandiswamazwai pic.twitter.com/j0X0oo0gMZ
— Nduduzo Makhathini (@nduduzo_m) November 11, 2017
“The festival has seen many distinguished artists grace our stages and many young talents being discovered,” said theatre spokesperson Thakgatso Setseta.
Mazwai, or King Tha as she is known to her fans, will perform her hits, including the songs from her latest album, Belede.
Winner, Best Female (South Africa): #Thandiswa (@thandiswamazwai) from #SouthAfrica #AFRIMA2017 pic.twitter.com/L8c3HFyhET
— FreeMe T.V (@FreeMe_TV) November 13, 2017
The album is a collection of songs she wrote for her mother, Belede and is inspired by mbaqanga and jazz singers Busi Mhlongo and Dorothy Masuka, the music she grew up to.
Mazwai has cemented her place in upper echelons of the music industry having started her career with Bongo Muffin before becoming a respected household name in the jazz scenes.
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The best female artiste in Southern Africa is @thandiswamazwai #AFRIMA2017 pic.twitter.com/ex1uc6zyVL
— Ibrahim Mansur (@MansurIB007) November 12, 2017
Belede was nominated for the best jazz album award 2016 and was also well received internationally.
She was featured on Culoe De Song’s hit song Nguwe, which was a club banger.
https://twitter.com/TK_Senne/status/930416664361013248
Her song Jikijela was dedicated to the student protest movement, Fees Must Fall.
Setseta said the theatre was proud to announce the news to Pretorians.
“Thandiswa is a celebrated, admired and respected artist whom we as the State Theatre feel honoured to be hosting as part of the festival,” he said.
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Since inception in December 2007, Mzansi Fela festival has become one of the most anticipated festivals of the year in Pretoria and the rest of the country.
https://twitter.com/MantoKaBaba/status/930009499875856384
“An occasion that started as a five-day event, which has developed into a 20-day affair, attracts more than 10 000 people annually,” Setsetsa said.
???????????? Siyakubongela motherrrr @thandiswamazwai https://t.co/UhpmXjSWzs
— #MSOTS Out NOW!! (@busiswaah) November 13, 2017
“I dedicated the album to my late mother who was, and still is, a major influence on my music and political stance,” Mazwai said.
The multi award-winning Afro-soul and jazz singer will be on the stage on 8 December.
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