Tag Archives: Hugh Masekela

World Cup Concert kicks off the world’s greatest sport tournament

The World Cup 2010 Kickoff Concert taking place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto in Johannesburg this afternoon has been strangely shrouded in secrecy as far as the music stars performing is concerned.  It is the first step in the final countdown to the start of the World Cup tomorrow.

What is known for sure is that Shakira has arrived, and that she will be singing the official World Cup song ‘Waka Waka’ with Freshlyground.  Other performers known to attend are the Black Eyed Peas, Goldfish, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Kwani Experience, Tumi Molekane, Loyiso Bala, Lira, Angelique Kidjo, Blk Jks, Hugh Masakela, K’Naan, Juanes, Soweto Gospel Choir, The Parletones, and Vieux Farka Toure, according to the 2010 World Cup website.  The Concert has been criticised by local performers, for not including enough local musicians.

The World up Kickoff Concert will be broadcast on SABC at 20h00.  The German TV station ZDF will be broadcasting the show from 20h15, and the presenters will be talkshow host Thomas Gottschalk and ex-Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss, presenting in German.

On the Grand Parade Cape Town kicks off its own “Cape Town Welcomes the World” concert from 14h00 today.   Local bands will perform, and R Kelly is the star musician who will also perform at the Kickoff Concert in Johannesburg.  More than 100 artists will perform at the Cape Town Fan Fest on the Grand Parade, reports the Cape Argus.  According to the People’s Post, Jimmy Dludlu performs at 18h00 tomorrow; Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is on stage on Saturday; Goldfish perform on Sunday at 18h00; on Monday BLK Sonshine and CODA perform from 18h00;  Loyiso is on stage on 16 June, Liquideep on 17 June, and The Rudimentals on 18 June. 

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

Cape Town and all that jazz

The tenth Cape Town International Jazz festival takes place at a variety of venues this weekend, with a line-up of top jazz artists set to entertain the 32 000 jazz fans.

Top jazz artists such as Freshlyground, Kyle Eastwood (son of Clint Eastwood, who is in Cape Town shooting a movie about the Rugby World Cup 1995), Shakatak, Abigail Khubeka, Goldfish, Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler, and the Stylistics will be performing at Rosies, Kippies, Basil ‘Manenberg’ Coetzee, Bassline and Moses Molekwa.

“The International Jazz Festival is an important event for Cape Town’s tourism sector too.   Visitors to the festival fill the city’s hotels and restaurants and create a spotlight on Cape Town.   The Cape Town Jazz Festival is an important international event that has a long history within our democracy. In fact, it is an event that really celebrates the triumph of our country through its multi-cultural, multi-national line-up. People from far and wide come to our city to listen to the legends of jazz and Cape Town itself is so much richer for the presence of these talented people. The tourism sector benefits hugely through increased occupancies and other activities”, says Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.  

Cape Town Routes Unlimited estimates that the Jazz Festival generates R 430 million for the economy of the Western Cape. 

More details are available at www.capetownjazzfest.com.