SA stars ready to perform for Obama

Published Jan 17, 2013

Share

In a few days, some of the country’s finest musicians will jet off to perform at an event that is set to draw an audience of millions around the world.

On the night Barack Obama will be inaugurated for a second term as US president at the 2013 Ambassadors Inaugural Ball, singer-songwriter Lira and house music favourites MiCasa will add a South African touch to the occasion.

Jazz powerhouse Hugh Masekela, who has been nominated a second time for a Grammy Award, will also be performing a set in tribute to Nelson Mandela at an event coinciding with the inauguration, which is hosted by the Coalition of African American Churches.

Ahead of their departure, Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile held a press conference yesterday to congratulate them at Emoyeni Estate in Parktown.

Lira will be showcasing the song she performed for Mandela’s 92nd birthday, Labi Siffre’s Something Inside So Strong, as well as Miriam Makeba’s Pata Pata and one of her hit songs, Ngiyazifela.

MiCasa’s lead singer, J-Something (real name João Fonseca), said they would perform hits Heavenly Sent and These Streets as well as a five-minute tribute to the country’s musical greats.

Related Topics: