Another African music great will join a long line of performers to appear live at the Conference Centre Auditorium at the Gaborone Sun. At a gala on April 24, two rousing sets of 45 minutes each will feature Don Laka, Mamelodi's superstar pianist-arranger.
"It is our aim to bring to Gaborone some of the continent's greatest artists, to enrich the lives of our guests," says GM Lance Rossouw.
Laka's career goes back to 1969 when he formed his own band. In 1972, he made his first recording featuring legend Ray Phiri.
In 1980, Laka joined Afro-fusion group Sakhile, formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu, and he recorded his first big hit with the group before moving to form his own band with Chicco Twala.
Don then ventured into solo work and producing other artists, appearing on Sankomota albums and writing orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo. He also collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope and produced and performed with Phiri and Mabuse.
Meanwhile, Laka is a music mogul in his own right, as he
owns Kalawa Records - one of SA's most successful record companies. - Tonight Reporter
- Work has begun on a new performance space at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom, a R727-million development in kwaZulu-Natal which is on track to open in the last quarter of the year.
The thatched 540-seat amphitheatre will have the capacity to stage major productions.
"We are pleased to see a theatre like this been developed," said Themi Venturas, well-known KZN theatre personality and chairperson of the Performing Arts Network of SA (KZN).
- Dinner and the concert may be booked at the Gaborone Sun. Contact marketing manager Lesedi Moakofi on 09267-395-1111