The cultural enthusiast and musician, Mbuso Khoza, returns to the Wits Theatre Hall on 13th October 2019 to stage the 4th Amahubo Symposium – launched in 2015 as a platform to preserve our heritage and encourage Africans to stay in love with who they are and where they come from.
The symposium, in partnership with Wits Theatre, will see Nduduzo Makhathini – jazz musician, pianist, and composer present on music and healing, Xolani Zondo from KZN Department of Education who will be presenting on the sacred aspects of Zulu dance and Kholeka Shange, a PHD candidate from Wits University who will take the audiences through the role that Princess Magogo played in ascribing value in heritage.
Khoza had this to say about the Amahubo Symposium, “Amahubo is a rare style of music and also serve as a scroll of the nation. They are associated with the very beginning of time when the Nguni people were in control of their destiny. In the olden days, each household used to have a family song called Ihubo which was used to safeguard the family history and also serve as a prayer for respective families. This Symposium is aimed at reminding people about the importance of heritage. Amahubo are the songs of the ancients. They are at the centre of our spiritual lives, our historical lives. Even our religious lives. They carry messages of the past, warning us about the present. This event seeks to encourage people to embrace and fall in love with their histories.”
Music is one of the best and [most] effective methodologies to instrumentise our culture and heritage, and this will be felt at the 4th Amahubo Symposium.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa will deliver the keynote address, and the renowned Themba Mkhize, Niki-B, Madala Kunene, Madusini, Mbongeni Ngema, Mgqashiyo Ndlovu and Busi Mhlongo will be honoured on the day with the Heritage Orders for their support and notable work in the arts and culture space.
The day will be jam-packed with interesting and engaging conversations around heritage and cultural education, as well as entertainment through song and dance. The line-up includes Mbuso Khoza with the legendary Themba Mkhize who has mentored him who will treat the audience to a once-in-a-lifetime mesmeric performance.
The Afrikan Heritage Ensemble, founded by Khoza and boasts an 18-member accapella tunes that will captivate patrons with their versatility, energy and melodies they bring to every stage they have performed on, and Nduduzo Makhathini – regarded a kind of musical activist on behalf of African traditions of healing – who is also known for the ‘elegant mix of heritage and modern sensibilities’ in his music will take the guests on a spiritual journey while they dance and nod to the keys with Khoza serving some vocal sensations to the audiences.
