WOMAD SA 2023 brings “the world to your doorstep” with an international and local line-up at various gigs. The showcase will be held in Cape Town, !Khwa ttu SAN Heritage Centre in Yzerfontein, Johannesburg, Middelburg and Mapungubwe from 23 September 23 to 7 October, 2023. For the full WOMAD SA programme see here. For artists and workshop info see www.womadsa.co.za
Workshops, buskers
Following on from the inaugural WOMAD South African Safari in 2022, WOMAD SA is designed to showcase diverse international and local culture. Conceived in 1982 by the Peter Gabriel, WOMAD has since brought the sights, sounds and rhythms of the world to 32 countries and an audience of millions. WOMAD events have become “Voyages of Discovery” and in classic Gabriel style, he says: “I challenge anyone to come to a WOMAD event and not be completely knocked out by an artist they had never heard of.”
The WOMAD Cape Town festivities take place over the Heritage Day Weekend (23 to 25 September between 2pm and 8pm) with the V&A Waterfront changing into a colourful kaleidoscope with free concerts performed by a selection of artists from 11 countries. There’ll be something for every arts fan, plus workshops and a Buskers Showcase over the full three days.
Themed concerts include the WOMAD Indigenous Artists Concert featuring award winning Aboriginal singer-songwriter Shellie Morris with her all-women song and dance group Yarnumamalya Ayangkidarrba-langwa from Groote Eylandt in Australia; rapper Neill Morris (aka DRMNGNOW also from Australia; Eufronio “Kech” Sanchez from the Andes mountains in Bolivia on Saturday; the World of Flamenco with Anabel Veloso & Gabriel Perez (Spain) joined by the Rosa Jiminez & Montoya Spanish Dance Theatre on Sunday – and Rappers Delight headlined by hip-hop sensation YoungstaCPT together with Bravo le Roux, Mr. Heinz and a collaboration with DRMNGNOW (Australia) on the Monday.
“Hendrix of the kora”
Other international artists include the “Jimi Hendrix of the kora” N’Faly Kouyate (Guinea), master percussionists Daewon Lee, Ho Kim, Chaebin Oh & Geomungojari (Korea); an African focus with Takura Terry (Zimbabwe), Simba Morri (Kenya) and Adamu da Silva (Angola) and tango music and dance from Portenos (Argentina).
The Beyond Words concert celebrates the artists’ heritage, migration stories, and connections to the continent. It includes Zimbabwean-born artist NIASHA, South African-born artist Ceeko, African American giant Craig Calhoun collaborating with Zimbabwean guitarist Sylent Nqo, and the newly formed Tamvela.
Collaborations too
Local artists include The One Who Sings (Zolani Mahola) & The Feminine Force; Mansoor Joseph; Ernestine Deane, Steve Newman, Wendy Oldfield & Ashish Joshi; Albert Frost, The Electric featurng John Ellis; Empire Alight and Jonny Blundell’s Masala group.
It’s a WOMAD tradition to present live collaborations and punters can expect Cuban icon Alfredo Hechavarria with Cameron Ward and his band in a vibrant Afro-cuban mix of cultures and Albert Frost with kora master N’Faly Kouyate.
From 26 to 29 September Interactive Workshops will be held at Ferryman’s Guinness Lounge, Kronendal, Ottery, Wynberg and the Ubuntu Centre in Noordhoek. Langa’s 100 Year Anniversary will be celebrated at the Langa Theatre and Bridges Music Academy.
The !Khwa ttu Heritage Day Festival 2023 celebrates San Culture and introduces a new partnership with WOMAD. It takes place on Heritage Day on 24 September from 10am to 6pm at the !Khwa ttu SAN Heritage Centre in Yzerfontein.
Attendees will be treated to the musical talents of San dance groups including Dizu Plaatjies and Drumba Drumming. The festival will embody a spiritual celebration, uniting SAN artists and the WOMAD Indigenous First Nations artists Shellie Morris & Yarnumamalya Ayangkidarrba-langwa (Australia), DRMNGNOW (Australia), Eufronio Sanchez (Bolivia), Gabriella Ghermandi (Ethiopia), N’Faly Kouyate’ (Guinea), King Kapisi (New Zealand) and The Iskwew Singers (Canada).
The performances will touch upon ancestral beliefs, heritage, healing, the role of women, land issues, and modern influences. Tickets are limited, and advance booking is recommend.
!KHWA TTU tickets:
Presales R100 – adults
R60 – kids 6-12 years, pensioners
Free – kids u/6
Ticket prices on the day: adults R150, kids R95pp
Book your tickets here
Contact Bianca Tango 022 492 2998, or Bookings@khwattu.org
What: WOMAD
When: 23 to 25 September 2023
Where: Cape Town
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