By Aphiwe Ngowapi
The Makhanda Kwantu Choir captivated audiences with their “The Offering (to our other selves)” performance at the Amazwi Museum on Monday, 24 June. Returning to the National Arts Festival, the beloved community choir presented a repertoire that deeply resonated with the human experience, exploring themes of othering, forgotten memories, and inner truths.
The concert, held in the heart of Makhanda, aimed to transport the audience to the “deep shadows of lived experiences,” guiding them through places often overlooked but crucial in shaping our better selves. “The Offering” paid tribute to memories that long to be forgotten, emotions that wish to flee, and truths easier left unspoken, promising a transformative journey through song.
Photo: Aphiwe Ngowapi
The Kwantu Choir’s performance, curated and mastered by Kutlwano “Kepa” Kepadisa, featured a diverse set list that was both international in scope and deeply rooted in South African musical traditions.
Opening with a Tshivenda prayer song “Ramakole” meaning “The Almighty”, Kepadisa emphasises the lyrics “It is dark, there are clouds, there is hunger and disease. Almighty fight for us, and hear us when we pray.”
The song choice was deliberate and the highlights include “Mama Afrika” by Haitian composer Sydney Guillaume, a lamentation for his ancestral home, and Chicco Thwala’s poignant “Too Late for Mama”, sung by Brenda Fassie as a tribute to the terrible experiences of black mothers during apartheid.
Johannesburg-based composer Sabelo Mthembu’s “Alleluia Azania” offered a dignified call to a proud Azania, while Christo Jankowitz’s “Leer my heer” invoked a spiritual plea to a higher power. These selections created a rich tapestry of sound that guided the audience through a profound emotional and spiritual journey.
One cheerful and happy piece is Oxamu: A Xhosa folk click song about crocodiles playing and fighting, arranged by André van der Merwe from Stellenbosch. To close off the performance the choir sang a lullaby, taken from a poem by Wilfred Owen.
The diverse audience members were left deeply moved by the choir’s performance, which promised to enrich and nourish the soul. By delving into the forgotten parts of our inner selves, the Kwantu Choir delivered an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impact.
The Makhanda Kwantu Choir’s performance at the Amazwi Museum was more than just a concert; it was an exploration of human emotions and memories, brought to life through the power of music. As part of the National Arts Festival’s 50th anniversary, this event showcased the incredible talent and emotional depth of Makhanda’s cherished community choir.
Catch their last performance on 29 June at 10:00 and 20:30.
