Songs of freedom with lauded artists

Travelling from the United Kingdom to join the South Africans on stage at each concert will be three-time Grammy Award nominee Joan Armatrading.

The stirring story of these troubled times when many of these artists stood against the apartheid system and took great risks of being detained by the government for writing songs and poems against the regime will be narrated on stage by South African storyteller and author Gcina Mhlope.

“During the period of 1980 to 1990, a group of musicians was very active in protesting against the then government of South Africa,” says Joburg Theatre’s Bernard Jay.

Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse. Picture: Supplied

“Anthems of Democracy features many of these artists whose songs became songs of hope and encouragement through troubled times. 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 concerts are being produced for Joburg Theatre by Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and Roddy Quin. In 1989, Quin staged the Human Rainbow Concert, which joined black and white South African artists on the same stage. The concert was banned by the South African government, resulting in a year-long court battle, which finally saw the ruling overturned.

That landmark decision meant mixed concerts were allowed in South Africa without having to apply for government approval.