Dr Thokozani Mhlambi
After a stint performing in France over the past two years, South African composer and cellist Dr Thokozani Mhlambi kicks off his homecoming tour with a show at the Baxter on Saturday September 18.
Taking inspiration from Heritage Month, the concert will open with a solemn dedication to early African composers such as Enoch Sontonga and John Knox Bokwe.
Dr Mhlambi will also be presenting his new material created in Paris as well as some of the favourites from his debut album, Zulu Song Cycle.
“Heritage Month is an important time for bringing people together. The global pandemic has really redefined our own understanding of togetherness. Music however continues to play an important role in promoting diversity of languages (especially African languages) and lifestyles that must define an era. By these lifestyles I mean those conscious choices we make that mark our time as different to that of the Sophiatown cultural movement, or District Six back in the days. We must find the question of our time. This question becomes what our art then tries to unravel, in its multiplicity of shapes and forms,” says Dr Mhlambi.
He will be joined on stage by dancer and choreographer, Theo Kolisile Ndindwa; jazz pianist, Lonwabo Mafani; and Afro futuristic soul singer, Kitso Seti.
“I'm really excited because Baxter theatre has established a garden venue, which is in keeping with the times, in terms of health protocols. Performing in an outdoor setting has a different kind of communication with your audience than a traditional theatre venue,” says Dr Mhlambi.
In 2020, Dr Mhlambi was selected as an Artist in-Residence at Cite International Des Arts in Paris, supported by the Institut Français. He used the time to connect with artists from different parts of the world, and more specifically the African continent, and to develop new creative work.
Tickets cost R100 or R50 for students and pensioners. Book through Webtickets.