PJ still has the power to unite races behind music

WHEN I had visitors from Zimbabwe last Friday, I confess that although I liked them very much, I was not pleased about their presence because they posed an obstacle to my plans to attend a PJ Powers gig at the Stone Cradle that evening.

I suggested to my wife that although our visitors were “born again” Christians whose church discourages followers from attending live shows – especially at places where liquor is consumed – we should persuade them to accompany us to the show.

Having known our cousin and his wife for a long time, my wife doubted if they could entertain such an idea.

Because it would have appeared discourteous to leave the visitors at my place alone while I went to PJ’s gig, I decided to throw caution to the wind and try my luck by inviting them.

“Eh-eh, there is this wonderful show tonight at a magnificent restaurant called the Stone Cradle, and I was thinking we could go and have our dinner there while we watch PJ Powers perform,” I stammered.

For a while I regretted my decision to invite them.

“PJ Powers! Do you mean the real PJ Powers?” came the booming reply from my cousin (the husband).

“If it is the real PJ Powers who sang ‘God please help us to be strong and to love one another’, then I am going, and I can confess to the pastor later,” added my cousin to the delight of my wife and I.

By about 7.30pm, my cousin, his wife, my wife and me were sharing a table for four in a recently refurbished restaurant at the Stone Cradle, enjoying a delicious barbeque, cool drinks and beer.

And when it was time for the show, PJ did not disappoint.

At 52, PJ has lost none of her glamour, and her appeal still cuts across the racial barrier, as was evidenced by the multi-racial audience.

“Her voice and remarkable dance moves are still the same as almost 20 years ago when I last saw her,” remarked my wife, much to my endorsement.

One could argue that Thandeka (loved one), as PJ is affectionately known by her fans, has over the years developed another talent – she is now also into comedy.

In-between her songs she would send her audience into stitches with laughter as she related some of the funny moments from her life and glittering career.

Before we knew it, the show had come to an end, leaving the audience crying for more.

One question which seemed to be on the mouths of every fan was when PJ would be performing at the Stone Cradle again. She said her fans could follow her movements by visiting www.pjpowers.co.za.

And as for me and my wife, we are still to phone Zimbabwe after this Sunday to find out if my cousin has lived up to his promise by confessing to his pastor that he and his wife had been to the Stone Cradle to watch PJ Powers perform.