Theatre presents Women’s Month music concerts
Thakgatso Setseta
In commemoration of Women’s Month, the South African State Theatre (SAST) presents virtual music concerts.
The two concerts by music doyen Sibongile Khumalo and acclaimed songstress Zonke Dikana are included in SAST’s Season 03 of online streaming, which boasts a diverse billing.
Dikana’s show, Zonke Live in Concert, will premiere on Women’s Day, 9 August at 15:00, while Khumalo’s concert is set to wrap up the celebrations at 15:00 on 30 August.
Fans can stream both concerts on the SAST’s online channel from the comfort of their homes.
This year Women’s Month will be observed under revolting conditions when our country and the global community is witnessing a surge in femicide and gender- based violence (GBV).
Mama Sibongile Khumalo is a living legend and a national treasure. Leveraging on her ‘first love for stage,’ time and again the State Theatre borrows her in a bid to celebrate her while she is still alive and to remind the nation of its fortunes.
Last year, the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver recipient was cast in Kwanele, a production based on the wake of 2019’s xenophobic attacks and GBV, written and directed by award-winning playwright Aubrey Sekhabi. Khumalo featured with the team for the premiere of Kwanele in Angola and throughout the homecoming run at the State Theatre.
With five albums under her belt, Zonke proves to be an unstoppable force. Her recent album, Love (2018), was certified platinum in November last year. Hit records such as Feelings, Jikizinto, Nameless and more in her enchanting discography, have a reputation to keep audiences on their toes in her sold-out affairs. In this encounter she will be performing live in an empty 1 300-seater Opera Theatre, but streamed on SAST online channel.
SAST acknowledges the announcement by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, giving arts and culture spaces a green light to open under Covid-19 lockdown Level 03.
The theatre however remains closed to safeguard the lives of its stakeholders, but continues to appraise the situation to explore the viability of reopening for audiences.
