One-hundred-and-43 years later, South African black artists ensure that the day of 22 January 1879 is still remembered. This is a day that is unlikely to be removed from the books of history.
King Cetshwayo’s men had walked 100 km from Ondini to Isandlwana, they were driven by the cheer desire to remove their country from the resolute hooks of imperialism and colonialism. These Zulu men were conveyed by their agile feet and the accords of amahubo. It is believed that they snatched the most unlikely victory at the expense of a fully armed British force.
The significance of this day is of greatness; therefore, the artists want to make sure that the African youth can carry the tale to 100 more generations to come.
In courtesy, the Mbuso Khoza institute for culture and heritage, the Joburg theater patrons will be given the opportunity to relive the moment in a curated re-enactment of the epic battle.
Mbuso’s undiminished capacity to campaign for the reclaiming of lost heritage has seen him leading a group of talented musicians in commemorating the Isandlwana chapter of our history to the absolute joy of theatre goers for the past four years in succession. The highlight of it all, is the soundtrack of the unforgettable day.
The group is formed of an acapella unit of sixteen strong voices, which was formed in 2015, following auditions for township youths who would be taught the art of
singing and interpreting amahubo. Since the founding, the enthusiastic band has toured both in South Africa and the rest of the continent to joyous applauses.
Under the leadership of Khoza they have since recorded two albums of amahubo, the latest with complement by the Netherlands’ award-winning jazz pianist, Mike del Ferro.
In a quote Khoza says that: “This is a South African story of how unity of purpose has achieved
what experts would have called the impossible as Africans demonstrated the readiness to lay down their own lives in defense of their land”.
The details are as follows:
Dates: 21 – 23 January 2022
Venue: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Time 18H30
Tickets available at webtickets.co.za or Pick n Pay outlets
nationwide
By Londeka Mthethwa
