Chase away some of that chilly weather with good music and traditional home cooking at Urban Backpackers in a two day event featuring jazz singer Bonolo Mokubung.
“I was approached by a friend who owns the place (Urban Backpackers) to perform at the venue. We realised that it’s winter and I’m from Qwa-Qwa where it’s very cold and we always use our blankets to get warm, so we will be singing wearing our blankets ( The Basotho Blanket),” she said.
Mokubung can’t contain her excitement as she describes the two day event where she and her friends, which includes legendary guitarist Mandela, a Senegalese band and the Basotho traditional dancers will be showcasing their “African feel vibe”.
“I’m going to present the songs that we sing when it’s very bad, to keep us warm. I want the people to come and enjoy with me, it will be very cultural.”
Traditional food will also be served, including mqombothi (traditional beer), motoho (porridge made from sifted sorghum), dihlakwana (lamb trotters) dihloho tsa dinku/skopo (sheep heads) and mohodu (tripe).
“There will also be bomme ba mokhibo, bontate ba mohobelo (Basotho traditional dancers) and mokorotlo (Basotho hats).
Mokubung came to Joburg to pursue fashion designing and once that was completed, she moved to Durban to study jazz and popular music.
This 36-year-old is a true lover of music and it has been evident from an early age.
“I started a band when I was 15.”
And where does that passion for music come from?
“It comes from my mother. She was a music teacher, choir conductor and she was a classical soprano singer.
“She was teaching music everywhere.”
Mokubung’s album Thaba Di Ntjhebile is dedicated to her late mother.
The album was produced by Joe Nina and features music giants, Tshepo Tsola, Steve Kekana and Budaza.
“I was surrounded by legends and feel very privileged to work with legends on this album,” she said
* Catch Bonolo and Friends tonight and tomorrow evening at Urban Backpackers at 6pm. Tickets are sold at R100 at Urban Zulu stores or online: www.urbanzulu.co.za