The countdown has started to the Moretele Park Tribute Concert 2015. Under the theme ‘We Are Africa’, this year’s concert celebrates South Africa’s coming of age and protests against xenophobia and the abhorrent violence towards foreign nationals experienced earlier this year. 

Now in its 18th year, the concert will take place on Saturday, August 29 in Moretele Park in Mamelodi, Pretoria. Organisers, Drakensberg Promotions, have unveiled this year’s line-up, which spans the continent from the DRC to Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Among the stars headlining the event is veteran performer and elder statesmen of home-grown music, Caiphus Semenya. He will be joined by Lesotho’s much- loved and inimitable Bhudaza, who first captured the public’s imagination as the leader of seminal eighties Afrobeat group, Sankomota.

Zimbabwe’s  Oliver Mtukudzi, nicknamed by his fans ‘Tuku’ is also billed to perform, joining  prominent soukous musician Kanda Bongo Man from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The platinum selling Thandiswa Mazwai, who ever since bursting into the public consciousness as lead vocalist and songwriter of the award-winning group, Bongo Maffin adds to the bill. Mango Groove who have enjoyed over 12 number one hits, also join the vibrant mix of artists, as does Grammy award-nominated and Mamelodi-born, Vusi ‘The Voice’ Mahlasela.

The younger generation of musicians includes the award-winning vocal acapella sensation The Soil who have recently bagged a nomination at this year’s BET Awards for best international act; soulful crooner Afrotraction; and house duo Black Motion.

On August 22, Drakensberg Promotions will host a music business workshop in Pretoria hosted by various experienced music industry individuals. The panel discussion will be presented by top industry professionals and is aimed at musicians and others in the industry wanting to know more about the business of music. The workshop will cover business operations, event production, royalties and the latest trends in the music industry.  Members of the public, the music industry and entreprenueurs are invited to participate.

There will also be a series of lunch-time concerts hosted by the Newtown Junction Mall at 1 pm on August 7, 14 and 21, supported by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The concerts will feature development artists from Puisano Jazz Bandstand.

Tickets for the Moretele Park Tribute Concert 2015 can be booked at Computicket.