DStv Delicious Festival hosts minister McKenzie for rehearsals

DStv Delicious Festival gave sports, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie a taste of what's going to happen this weekend at the event.

The rehearsals were held at the Yamaha Theatre in Sandton, and featured acts such as Jesse Clegg, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Khanyo Maphumulo with a band.

The department of sports, arts and culture is sponsoring the 30-year of creative freedom tribute show. This show will celebrate SA’s rich musical legacy, honouring artists who have made an incredible mark on the country's cultural landscape over the last three decades.

On Saturday, the show will pay homage to music legends like Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube, Sibongile Khumalo, Ray Phiri, Johnny Clegg and Brenda Fassie, among many others.

Speaking at TshisaLIVE, minister Gayton McKenzie said the rehearsals were just a starter and the main meal was coming at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday.  “We don’t only want to bring in musicians, but the crafters, designers, heritage sites and poets, hence we made a partnership with them. So, I’m doing mix masala so people can see what my department is like when we express our relevance in the arts sector,” he said.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the songstress and songwriter known as “Princess of Africa”, said they were rehearsing with a 15–piece band to honour the late South African musicians. “We’re remembering, celebrating and honouring people like Miriam Makeba, Mandoza, Sibongile Khumalo, AKA and many more, she said.

“I'm very grateful to the minister to have time to come, acknowledging the music industry and watch us having this kind of rehearsals in front of him. They [late musicians] might be gone but their voices will remain with us for us to cherish their hard work. It’s just that time we need to reflect ‘sibone ukuthi siphumaphi’ (Look Back at where we come from).”

Singer Khayo Maphumulo said: “I'm so humble to be part of the show and it’s the first time and I heard next time I’m still going to be part of The DStv Declicious Festival... it’s just a beautiful experience.”

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