SA’s award winning acts take over Mogale
The night however belonged to the godfather of kwaito music Mdu with his old-school hits that had more of the over 30’s crowd gyrating as if being possessed.
Thousands of revellers had a whale of a time with the annual Go West! Concert in the Park Festival at Coronation Park, writes Randfontein Herald’s freelance journalist, Raymond Moeng.
The dulcet voice of top soul and R&B artist Brian Themba, who is also the Festival Ambassador from Bekkersdal near Westonaria, got the crowd going.
Also on the lineup was jazz legend Jonas Gwangwa whose trombone and vocal prowess had the audience standing up from their camping chairs.
The pride of Mogale City, Mafikizolo, the multi-award winning duo of Theo Kgosinkwe and Nnhlanhla Nciza could not disappoint on home soil, with their old-school hit tunes such as Kwela Kwela, an old-style marabi jazz tune and Ndi hamba nawe.
Also performing was an array of Sama (South African Music Award) luminaries like the legendary Tshepo Tshola from Lesotho, Thandiswa Mazwai with his music heavily influenced by the spiritual realm of the Xhosa nation who also caught the attention of revellers who called for more.
Lira, the more suave Afro-jazz vocalist and also former Sama winner had the more adult-orientated audience singing along.
The night however belonged to the godfather of kwaito music Mdu with his old-school hits that had more of the over 30’s crowd gyrating as if being possessed. The man of the moment was Dr Malinga with his unofficial national anthem Via Orlando, an old 80s/ 90s bubblegum tune that he modified especially with his unconventional stage act of high kicks that made him popular.
His explosive crazy stage antics and regalia have become his trademark to both his young and old fans.
Also, Mogale City was represented by another local native Ntando. The vibey Afro-pop performer with his traditional Xhosa and Zulu rhythm is also a former Sama award winning artist who closed the 2013 Go West! Concert in the Park.
The evening’s master of ceremonies, Sammy Fever Mashabane with his dry Setswana humour had the audience in stitches as he introduced the acts on stage.
