We now find out more about the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library which will seek to honour and preserve the legacy of African leaders. We’re joined in studio by Phiwe Maphanga, Chairman of Neema Media.
Background info:
The National Endowment for the Arts 2019 Jazz Master, Abdullah Ibrahim, will perform two benefit concerts for the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library (TMPL) in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Johannesburg leg of the concerts will be at the Lyric Theatre on the 27th of November 2019 and the Cape Town one, at the Life Church in Seapoint on the 29th of November 2019.
The two concerts are in aide of the construction of the TMPL, a project of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. In concert, Abdullah accompanied by his long-time band Ekaya and the Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, former President Thabo Mbeki will be in attendance.
Ibrahim attempts to tap into the moment and into the spiritual inspiration that comes through him… a continuation of his life’s work. It expands on ideas first developed in earlier compositions such as his landmark “Water from an ancient well”, about the wisdom of the ancients…as well as “The Balance”, which contains three solo piano pieces; all of which were fully improvised.
A civil rights icon of South Africa, his song “Mannenberg” (also known as “Cape Town Fringe”) became the anthem of the movement. What is perhaps little-known is that, he also performed at the late former President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994, where President Mandela is said to have uttered: “Bach, Beethoven, we’ve got better.” This legend has played with other greats, including, Duke Ellington, Archie Shepp, Max Roach and a host of other Jazz Giants.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is honoured to invite you to support this initiative by purchasing tickets for your organization and/or clients. These once in a lifetime concerts are a prequel to many more similar fundraising events planned for the continent and beyond.
