MALIAN Afro-pop singer and songwriter Salif Keita is among the drawcards lined up by the organisers of the Nelson Mandela Sports and Culture Day for this Saturday.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile announced the star-studded list of 18 artists in Joburg on Monday.
Evergreen local Afro-pop group Mafikizolo and Wouter Kellerman, the internationally acclaimed flautist who has written a song for Mandela, are among the big guns that will perform at FNB Stadium. And Kurt Darren, the all-conquering Afrikaans artist, is among the few artists on the line-up who has played at a 46664 concert. Members of Umoja, the world-famous dance show, will also be performing.
The music concert is part of a series of events to celebrate and promote Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation, nation-building and world peace.
The event will also feature a sports double-header, with the Springboks taking on Argentina and Bafana Bafana playing against Burkina Faso.
The double-header will be preceded by a curtain-raiser between Italian and South African football masters.
There will also be a fund-raising gala dinner on August 16.
The proceeds from the events will be used to fund the building of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital. The hospital is expected to open its doors next year, and it is hoped that more than 655 specialist doctors and nurses will be recruited.
South Africa has only one paediatric hospital, the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
Mafikizolo lead singer Nhlanhla Nciza said the event should spur other artists and South Africans to contribute towards making Madiba’s legacy a reality.
“I am excited about sharing the stage with Salif Keita because he is such an amazing icon who inspires us. I urge fellow South Africans to do their bit and donate towards the medical supplies for the sick as the costs are very high,” Nciza said.
Popular DJ and Idols judge Unathi Msengana is thrilled at the prospect of presiding over the event as programme director alongside Putco Mafani.
“It’s an honour to be celebrating something that is close to Madiba’s heart. I don’t think we understand the privilege of being alive in his lifetime because of his grace, humility, dignity and selflessness. I am privileged to be the string that connects sport, art and culture on an international scale.”
Other artists who will be performing include Zahara, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the Mahotella Queens, Black Coffee and DJ CNDO. - The Star