Musicians from South Africa, Berlin and Senegal have collaborated to create a Caravan – Tribute to Nelson Mandela concert, which will take place at the Gibson Kente Theatre at the Soweto Theatre complex on 18 July to honour the former South African president on his birthday.
The event, which is aligned with the Ubuntu Initiative, was initiated on 5 December 2013 – the day Nelson Mandela died – and is a call to people around the world to embrace a free society based on harmony, open minds, cross-cultural dialogue and equal opportunities.
The brainchild of Senegalese-born reggae artist, Louis-Jean Mendy, the show incorporates reggae and jazz music genres. It will feature Mendy’s Berlin-based reggae band, ‘Louis-Jean and Irie Rainbow’; local jazz pianist, Paul Hanmer; and reggae keyboard wizard, Thuthukani Cele.
Louis-Jean says he named the event Caravan – Tribute to Nelson Mandela because he hoped it would travel beyond Berlin, its place of origin. “Being able to bring this event to South Africa is a dream come true. The message of Ubuntu (I am because you are) is echoed in the Wolof proverb, Nit nitay garabam, which roughly translated means ‘people are a person’s remedy’ and, like Ubuntu, it speaks to collectivism, community and care for one’s fellow human beings.”
Louis-Jean will be accompanied by his regular sidemen, Jeromé Albano Minuco (drums) and Stefan Hickmann (electric bass), as well as Cele and Hanmer, while Hanmer’s band will feature the legendary Feya Faku (trumpet & flugelhorn), Thembinkosi ‘Mavimbs’ Mavimbela (double bass), Joel Klein (guitars) and El Hadj (percussion). Cele will also be joined by El Hadj, Klein, Minuco and Hickmann for his set.
To date, four highly successful iterations of Caravan – Tribute to Nelson Mandela have taken place in Berlin, featuring an array of musical styles, including reggae, hip-hop, funk, soul, Latin, jazz and world music.
Hanmer, who played at the 2014 Berlin-based event, says Mendy’s initiative is a fitting homage to a man who was passionate about making the world a better place for humankind and especially for children. “I am delighted to be part of the Soweto Theatre concert in my home country and look forward to honouring Madiba through this musical collaboration.”
The show will commence at 18:00 and tickets are available through www.webtickets.co.za. Ticket prices range from between R190 and R250 per person. For more information, visit www.sowetotheatre.com.
