Africa Day Concert held in Durban

Lira is one of the hottest performing artists in South Africa at the moment having won this year's SAMA for best female solo artist of the year. Her single Feel Good earned her a 2007 SAMA Award in the category Best Music Video, and her 2008 album "Soul In Mind" was a gold-selling, multi-award winner. Her popularity stretches beyond the borders of South Africa - a few days before her Africa Day performance Lira will be performing at the Africa Festival in Germany.

Kwaito group

SAMA award-winning Durban-based kwaito group Big Nuz features Mandla Maphumulo (aka Mampintsha), Mzingisi Mkhwanazi (aka Danger) and Sibusiso Khomo (aka R Mashesha). The group was formed 2002 when they moved from Durban to Johannesburg to hustle for a record deal. They had four nominations in the South African Music Awards this year and won three awards: Best Kwaito, Best Album, and Song of the Year as voted by South Africans.

Afro-pop performer

Another SAMA-award-winning artist, Ntando Bangani, is an Afro-pop performer whose music is influenced by Afro Jazz and reggae, amongst other South African genres. His debut album "Kwantu" (Cradle of Humanity) sold more than a million copies and he followed that up with "Imvelaphi" (Heritage) in 2005 which was a triple-platinum smash and garnered several awards, including Song of the Year at both the SAMA and Metro FM Awards for the track Dali Wam. Additionally, he won Best Newcomer, Best Album and Best Male Artist that year.

Gospel group

One of most highly respected gospel groups in South Africa, Avante, makes a welcome appearance at the Africa Day Concert. These all-kwaMashu-born gospel musicians, although having been relativity quiet in the music scene since their last album "Thumi Mvuselelo" (2007) was released, have continued to receive air play on radio and TV channels. Avante is currently working on recording their 11th album entitled "iMpilo" at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in kwaMashu, which runs the Izwi Music production label, which has recorded artists like Skhulu Miya and the Gospel Divas.

Bookings for the Africa Day Concert are open to the public and ticket prices have been kept low to ensure as many fans as possible can enjoy the feast of music. Tickets are R60 throughout (no concessions), and are available through Computicket. Booking is now open.

For more information about the African Renaissance programme, contact az.oc.inazow@noitpecer or phone +27 (0)31 266 9792.

Sharlene Versfeld
Tel 031 811 5628
083 326 3235
Sharlene@versfeld.co.za