Royals get heads into The Soil

06 March 2015 - 03:18 By Shelley Seid
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WOWING: Beat-box a capella Afro group, The Soil, lay it on the fans during their set at Jazz on the Lake at Zoo Lake yesterday
WOWING: Beat-box a capella Afro group, The Soil, lay it on the fans during their set at Jazz on the Lake at Zoo Lake yesterday

A performance fit for a king - or in this case, a queen, three princes and a duchess or two.

South African a cappella group, The Soil, will be performing for her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth 2 and members of the royal family, on Commonwealth Day, March 9.

The Soil, who won best produced album and best group album  for “Nostalgic Moments” at the Metro FM Music awards at Durban’s International Convention Centre last week, will also be performing in concert with Mango Groove during their UK trip.

Also attending the event at Westminster Abbey will be the queen’s husband, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Kent, and Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The Commonwealth Observance, which takes place on the second Monday in March every year, is the UK’s biggest multi-faith celebration of the Commonwealth’s diversity. The hour-long service will be attended by politicians, High Commissioners and Commonwealth dignitaries as well as over 1000 schoolchildren.

The appearance of The Soil is a consequence of the “SA-UK Seasons”, a two-year partnership aimed at building lasting relationships between the two countries’ creative communities.

The trio who make up The Soil include Soweto-born Luphindo Ngxanga, brother Ntsika and Buhle Mda. They have been called a modern Ladysmith Black Mambazo and describe their style of music as “Kasi Soul” (township style), a blend of musical genres such as jazz pop and Afro soul.

The group has released two albums. The latter, which won the Metro Music Awards, includes a guest appearance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Over the past three years the trio have toured the USA, Europe and Asia.

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