Music legends celebrate democracy

The production, narrated by storyteller extraordinare Gcina Mhlope, featured performances by the Soweto Gospel Choir, Bright Blue, Jennifer Ferguson, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Victor Masondo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Vicky Sampson and Joan Armatrading.

Many of the artists involved were numbered among a group of musicians who protested the atrocities of the apartheid regime through poetry and song during the period between 1980 and 1990.

Mhlope opened the show by telling the audience how lucky South Africans are to live in a country where we are clothed with the “magical blanket of song”.

Between performances, the storyteller wove together a rich tapestry of words that presented pivotal moments and heroic figures in vivid imagery.

The artists, however, weren’t content to limit themselves to only performing songs known and loved by many.

Each artist engaged with the audience; their informal banter knocked down the “fourth wall” and transformed the large theatre into an intimate venue where people had come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom.

To further drive home the meaning of the celebration, stirring, striking images, mostly from news photographs, were projected onto a screen at the back of the stage.

From Bright Blue’s plaintive hit Weeping to Ferguson’s spellbinding Bay of Bombay, and from Chaka Chaka bringing audience members on stage to dance with her, to Armatrading’s song written for Nelson Mandela, Anthems of Democracy was a fitting tribute to the story of South Africa and its creative, defiant, unconquerable people.

The theatre’s executive producer, Bernard Jay said, “At such an emotionally important time as the 20th anniversary of democracy, Joburg Theatre honours these artists and pays tribute to them and all the other artists who fought for democracy in their country.”

The production was produced for the theatre by Mabuse and Roddy Quin.

According to Jay, in 1989 Quin staged the Human Rainbow Concert, which saw black and white South African artists join on stage.

“The concert was banned by the South African government, resulting in a year-long court battle, which finally saw the ruling overturned,” said Jay.

“That landmark decision meant mixed concerts were allowed in South Africa, without having to apply for government approval. Quin has subsequently worked with all the artists on the bill for Anthems of Democracy during the early ’90s.”

Anthems of Democracy will run until 27 April at Joburg Theatre, Loveday Street, Braamfontein.

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Details: 0861 670 670; www.joburgtheatre.com