VIDEO: Reviving the spirit of Shaka through music
House of Shaka production working toward cultural development through music.
AIMED at educating the youth on the history of South Africa through music, the House of Shaka Choral Music Production was launched on Tuesday in Empangeni.
The choral musical stage production with chorus, soloists, traditional music, dialogue and backed by an orchestra has been composed, produced and directed by Professor Musa Xulu, the first black person to obtain a PHD in Ethnomusicology from a South African university.
Formalising the culture, heritage and tourism economies, the production has created 30 full time and 74 part time posts and intends to professionalise the choral music sector by using business skills.
The performers tell a story of the Zulu Kingdom, the liberation struggle and the liberated people, by taking the audience on a journey from 1780 – which is the birth of Shaka Zulu to 1828 – the death of Shaka.
The production also addresses the rise of King Dinuzulu and the emergence of the new class of educated liberators in 1912 and their struggles from then to 1994 and beyond.
The 94-minute performance, touching on themes such as peace, liberation, growth and development is emphasised by various soloists, duets and choruses.
In talks with an American production team to promote cultural exchange, Professor Xulu said House of Shaka will, in due course, be launched abroad.
