Sixty-seven minutes of throbbing music reverberated from a Green Point building as 67 buskers performed their 67 minutes of community service, playing in honour of Nelson Mandela.
They donated their entire earnings to various charity organisations.
The event formed part of Radio Smile 90.4FM’s “Making Music for Madiba” initiative, in which 67 buskers performed for free for 67 minutes across 67 locations across Cape Town.
Speaking at the Green Point event, 65-year-old busker Joe Petersen of the trio-band Ganga Muffins said: “I came here to play for Mr Nelson Mandela, king of the world. He was a great man.” Ganga Muffins, which also comprises guitarist David Berman and melodica player Dane Jonathan, reached the semi-finals of the South Africa’s Got Talent competition in 2015, performed at the event.
Busker guitarist/vocalist Menashe “Manny” Rossouw, 18, who duetted with singer Jarrod Aston of the band Cinema said: “I’m performing four songs.
“It’s bringing back the memory of how Mandela was there for everybody, and how strong he was as a person, and what he did for us as a nation and to remind us that he is always just here with us.”
Belgravia resident Mogamat Harris who was in the audience said: “Listening to the buskers is bringing back memories of District Six.
“I was one of the singers in District Six and I belonged to the Moonglow Singing Group.”
The event’s spokesperson, Candice Burgess-Look, said: “When one of the buskers was asked about how he felt to be part of the initiative, he said, ‘I felt it is my responsibility’ and I think that sums up the collective feeling of all the 67 buskers who are part of this initiative.
“It’s all about busking for Madiba Day and giving back to the community, and of coming together to remember Madiba’s legacy.”