NELSON MANDELA – The Song Lives On:
Concord Nkabinde and David Klassen Photo: Siphiwe Mhlambi
A new collaboration by Concord Nkabinde and David Klassen sees the two South African creative artists dig deep into their collective years of musical performance and production to deliver a performance piece that re-visits the essence and depth found in the words of one of the greatest humanitarians to have ever lived, Tata Nelson Mandela.
This production seeks to ensure that the impact created by the words of power, love, courage and healing that Madiba left us with, last for generations to come.
NELSON MANDELA – The Song Lives On is a public concert that marries the well-known sound of Mr. Nelson Mandela’s voice with live music and spoken word.
In the words of South Africa’s former president himself; “Music is a great blessing. It has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice. Such is the value of music.”
During Heritage Month, on 23 September, at the Drostdy Teater in Stellenbosch, Nkabinde and Klassen will, for the first time, present this work that respectfully and carefully interweaves new compositions as well as existing songs with an audio-visual presentation.
Suitable for all ages, this concert promises to be a special experience, one that carries history lessons from South Africa’s past whilst inspiring us to work together to create a future of bright possibilities.
“This will be just as exciting for the audience as it will be to us, as we together re-examine the words and ideals of an Icon,” says Nkabinde.
Along with Klassen, Nkabinde has invited three well-established and highly respected Cape Town-based artists to collaborate on this concert; Mark Fransman, a highly accomplished saxophonist, pianist, flautist, vocalist, composer and music educator; Nomfundo Xaluva, a dynamic new voice in the music scene, who is also a pianist, composer and music educator; and Bulelwa Basse, a profound and prolific performance poet, language facilitator, speaker and community builder.
The result of this collaboration is a concoction of different musical styles, well-thought out musical compositions and arrangements, expertly glued together by moments of improvisation. This five-piece outfit will deliver an experience that will remain in the hearts and minds of many, for years to come.
Klassen shares his sentiments on the project; “I am excited about it. It’s got meaning and purpose. We are honoring the values and humanitarian ideals of a man who deserves to be honored in this manner.”
Integral to the NELSON MANDELA – The Song Lives On concept are free community workshops, intended to engage and inspire young artists to tap into our country’s rich heritage in order to devise new creative works.
The first workshop will take place on Thursday, 22 September at the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch from 15:00 until 17:00. Young and emerging artists are invited to attend, free of charge, to learn more about the creative process and the music industry in general. Facilitators, Nkabinde and Klassen’s, along with guest artists, will also perform for those in attendance, while encouraging them to use this project as a model to draw from history and heritage when creating new artworks.
Through both the workshops and the concerts, the project seeks to encourage continued dialogue and conversation in order to realise equality and justice for all.
In the development of the content of this project, interaction and counsel from the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as the Robben Island Mayibuye Archives has ensured a holistic way forward. To make this concert possible, the project has also received meaningful support from the SAMRO Foundation’s Concerts SA – Mobility Fund.
Additional support has been provided by Eastern Acoustics, Sennheiser SA, TC Helicon, Drostdy Teater, Millstream Guesthouse, the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography and The Famous Idea.
The first presentation of the NELSON MANDELA – The Song Lives On concert will take place on Friday, 23 September at 20h15 at the Drostdy Teater in Stellenbosch. Tickets are available from Drostdy Teater at R100 each. For more information visit www.drostdyteater.co.za, email info@drostdyteater.co.za or call 0879432459. Visit the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/549152368609461/?ti=icl, or find out more online using the hashtag #mandelasongliveson.
Those interested in attending the workshop can contact Irma Albers on ialbers31@gmail.com.
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