The line-up for the sixth Vodacom DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival has been released with Afro-soul singer Simphiwe Dana set to be one of the headlining acts.
The event will take place in September at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand. The star will be joined by soul singer Lira on the Womandla stage.
The songstress, known for her vocality on issues that affect society, said she hoped that through her performance she can communicate a strong message against femicide in the country.
“I would like to portray a softness to women of South Africa. I know we always say ‘mbokodo this, mbokodo that’ but with this particular performance, I want to portray a softness that perhaps is what we women are not afforded.
“I will try and stay away from the strong woman narrative and perhaps if we show our vulnerability, people and men will be able to understand our sufferings and be able to empathise better with our plight,” said the Ndireadi hitmaker.
The artist, who has been in the music industry for 14 years, is one of the many being hailed for shaping South Africa’s contemporary musical landscape through her combination of jazz, Afro-soul, and traditional music, something she fully agrees with.
“I started a sound that has been a great influence on other artists that have come after me.”
Lira. Picture: supplied
Dana explained that she has always been conscious of the type of music she produces and her performances.
She said she aims for it to be spiritually uplifting and healing. This particular performance will also be a chance to take us down memory lane and share new music with her fans.
It is a chance to take charge of our own stories, while also educating the entire world about who we are.
“I am very vocal about many issues, particularly now. We are going through issues of gender-based violence. Now there just seems to be something extra about the abuse.
“It is our duty as artists on those platforms to educate society and the world about us and what makes us tick and the challenges we go through. It is our duty to engage and make our society more known and understood,” she adds.
Another unique element to be included at the festival is the Vodacom Dance Stage which is the brainchild of legend Oskido.
Oskido. Picture: supplied
“I thought it was high time we celebrate the guys who are pioneers of dance music. “When it comes to house music, worldwide, you will find names such as Louie Vega and locally names such as Vinny Da Vinci, Christos, Greg Maloka and DJ Fresh who have been championing dance music for years,” Oskido said.
@AmandaMaliba