SA Artists pay tribute to icon Letta Mbulu at NAF

by Mudiwa Mupotsa (FJP reporter)

Sibongile Khumalo at the sound check the night before the Letta Mbulu Tribute performance.

On Friday 4 July at 20:00 at the Great Hall at Rhodes University, a host of artists are coming together to pay tribute to Letta Mbulu as part of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Artists performing in this tribute include Sibongile Khumalo, Ringo Madlingozi and Mimi Ntenjwa. The entire performance has been directed by Sibongile Khumalo, with her hand picking all the musicians. “I wanted Ringo from the outset and I also wanted a younger voice,” Sibongile said. This comes in the form of Mimi.

This honour comes as aresult of her achievements throughout her varied career, including hit record such as “There’s Music in the Air” and “Free Soul” and work with international artist Quincy Jones.

Other young musicians were also asked to take part. Nicola Schrire, a young horn player chosen for the performance spoke about her experience, “It’s just so much fun to play and to listen too, and there’s so much fun and love in the music.”

Themba Mkhize

All the artists seem to be feeling positive about the performance they are offering and happy to be honouring such an important figure in South African music. The proposal to put this together was put forward to the Board of Directors of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown who happily accepted it. “I’m thrilled. I’m excited. I was already excited when the proposal was accepted by my colleagues,” said Sibongile, who is also a member of the board.

Themba Mokoena, one of the artists chosen to take part in the tribute performance.

Letta Mbulu herself will not be able to attend the show but according to Sibongile, is very excited about it, “Letta is very happy. We would not be doing this if it wasn’t something she was comfortable with.” With all the buzz and energy surrounding the preparation, it looks set to be a truly inspiring show.

Repeat performance Saturday 5 July 20:00. Unfortunately tickets for tonight and tomorrow are all sold out.

 

Pics: Mudiwa Mupotsa