Joyous Celebration opened the Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival last night with an electric performance at the Mmabatho Convention Centre last night.
With just one day to the live recording of Joyous 22, Joyous Celebration had the crowd eating out of their palm, singing along to every word.
Lindelani Mkhize, co-founder and producer of the Joyous Celebration team, revealed why this popular collective had chosen to perform so close to their live dvd recording.
“What we do when we are preparing for the recording," said Mkhize. "We get together as group, we go on a camp where we sit together, encourage one another, we fast, we pray, we do things as a family, a unit that is Joyous Celebration. We do this so that we are in the same spirit, same vision. As part of our camp, we got invited to perform at the festival and we are honoured to have shared this awesome experience with the people of Bokone Bophirima.”
#MahikaMahikeng2017 #JoyousCelebration @IOL_Lifestyle @SaturdayStar @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/BnlKpbLXVl
— Masego Panyane (@sego_says) December 7, 2017
The night comes to a close and we can actually say "go monate"! Day 1 of #MahikaMahikeng2017 was a success! #AReYengBokoneBophirima pic.twitter.com/yKStFMhDMx
— #MahikaMahikeng2017 (@Mahika_Mahikeng) December 7, 2017
Mahika Mahikeng is a cultural music festival hosted annually, catering to fans of hip-hop, house and soul, R&B, art and cultural dance music.
#MahikaMahikeng2017 Carnival Walk - Brass band, Drum Majorettes, Traditional Dancers, Donkey Carts & Open Bus heading to Barolong Boo Ratshidi pic.twitter.com/xv0DtSSRn3
— CultureArtsTraAff NW (@cata_nwpg) December 7, 2017
This year’s festival marks the exciting homecoming of Maftown Heights, the very popular annual hip hop event which hosts the some of Mzansi’s top rappers.
The stage for the @MaftownHeights2017 is nearing completion. #MahikaMahikeng2017 pic.twitter.com/mS2E3vLtAG
— Semphete Newspaper (@semphetenews) December 7, 2017
Now in its eighth year, the show will be hosted in Mafikeng for the first time. One of the co-founders of the movement, hip hop star Khuli Chana said: “There‘s a lot to celebrate. We’re also celebrating Maftown Heights, which is happening in Mafikeng for the first time in eight years. It’s an initiative I started eight years ago to celebrate Motswako and Mafikeng talent. Every year I had fans screaming at me for doing it in Joburg.”
Khuli Chana talks about his creative revolution
Headlining the event will be Khuli Chana, JR, Tuks, HHP, Notshi and friends of Motswako; AKA, Bongo Maffin, Major League, Destruction Boys, Okmalumkoolkat, Emtee Riky Rick, Nadia Nakai, KO, Da Les, with Bonang Matheba, Stoan and TboTouch as MC's.
Mahika Mahikeng. Picture: Supplied
The show takes place tonight at Mafikeng Stadium. Saturday night is comedy night with the likes of David Kau, Mpho Pops, Thabang ER and the festival finishes off with a Jazz festival on Sunday at Mmabatho Stadium.
The Jazz festival features Mafikizolo, Vusi Nova, Zonke, Selaelo Selota, Caiphus and Letta Mbuli and many more.