Writer: Tsakani Shingange | Photographs: Supplied
HughFest returns to Nirox Sculpture Park on Sunday 1 December 2024. Proudly presented by Assupol and hosted by the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, the late Bra Hugh Masekela’s eclecticism and famous Love, Learn, Teach motto is yet again reflected in the festival he founded. TKZee, The Mahotella Queens, Tete Mbambisa, Zoe Modiga, Dato Seiko with John Selolwane, Khaya Mahlangu with Nhlanhla Mahlangu and on decks Sumthin Brown B2B with DJ Bob, make up the lineup that begins at 11:00 and ends at 18:00.
Tickets are available at https://nirox.howler.co.za/events/hughfest-2024-0e5a/tickets
“Over the past 11 years, the HughFest has embodied the late Bra Hugh’s unique vision of African tradition, heritage, inter-generational conversations, and pageantry. Incubating this important, though rarely highlighted, conversation, we continue to honour our eclectic and incomparably diverse South African heritage through dance, spoken word and song.” Says his nephew, co – organiser Mabusha Masekela. “Set in the beautiful sculpture park of Nirox, this family – friendly day will be a unique experience of our innate sense of community, tradition, family, celebration and unity in our heritage.”
“In 2023, Assupol and the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation solidified a decade-long relationship, inspired by Hugh Masekela, the arts, legacy, heritage and culture. Initiated by Bra Hugh while he was still with us, the festival, generously supported by Assupol, continues to evolve into a life of its own.” Says Pula Twala, Bra Hugh’s daughter and chair of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation.
“For the past 11 years, Assupol has proudly stood in partnership with the Hugh Masekela foundation. We are excited to return as a sponsor in this year’s Hughfest at the Nirox Sculpture Park, a venue that champions South Africa’s rich cultural landscape. This enduring partnership reflects our commitment to uplifting communities and celebrating the creativity that unites us all. We are delighted to once again bring people together to experience the arts in such an inspiring setting, reinforcing our vision of growth, connection and resilience.” Says Velmah Nzembela, Head of Group Corporate Affairs at Assupol.
Described as a place “where Art meets Nature”, the Nirox Sculpture Park, with its backdrop of globally curated art installations and pieces, located in the Cradle of Humankind, offers a perfect balance of tranquillity and style, creativity and contemplation. HughFest at Nirox is an opportunity to celebrate the values of community, culture and well-being with family and friends.
Twala continues, “Our art is our culture and our heritage multiplied and in 2024 we will showcase an invigorating and inspiring expression of who and what we are, for our elders, for our children and for ourselves, preserving and promoting our ongoing intergenerational conversations. At HughFest the message is in the music.”
This years lineup is sure to delight:
TETE MBAMBISA
It’s been a long time coming, but Tete Mbambisa’s hidden contributions to South African arts and culture are increasingly recognized and appreciated. Born in East London’s Duncan Village in 1942, he learned to play on the piano his mother placed in her modest sheebeen. He credits “an old man called Langa” with teaching him his first chords and chord progressions, written on newspaper scraps. Mbambisa shares with one of his own musical heroes, Bill Evans – “so romantic and full of chords” – a fondness for juggling the rhythmic relationship between right and left hands, as well as sure feel for dynamics. If you’re seeking heroes, Mbambisa not only wrote about them, he is one.
ZOE MODIGA
A South African award-winning songstress, Zoe was born and raised in KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa. She is a quintessential artist, who represents the present and future of South African music. Drawing from the human experience, identity and storytelling, she creates a distinct sound, communicating a modern, evolving and essentially African story. Though often credited as a jazz artist, Zoe herself opines, “I’m just an artist being recognized in that space, having been a scholar of that space. There is more I have to offer in terms of palette and landscape of sound. I would describe it as African contemporary sound – it’s the different parts of what modern African music can be, Afrofuturistic music.”
MAHOTELLA QUEENS
Formed in early 1960’s apartheid South Africa, the Mahotella Queens, with their sweet, lilting harmonies, classic dance steps, the frenetic guitar in 8/8 time, and their sometime partner Simon Nkabinde aka Mahlathini, are a revered and influential standard of South African music and musicianship. Throughout their career they have had a stream of hits including “Thoko”, “Sithunyiwe”, “Pitsa Tse Kgolo”, “NgikhalaNgiyabaleka”, “Izulu Liyaduduma”, “Kazet” and “Melodi Ya Lla”. The Mahotella Queens are welcome addition to the HughFest stage and a valued reflection of our pride in the preservation, promotion and influence of our heritage and culture.
TKZEE
TKZee are the legendary Kwaito band of a post 1994 South Africa – Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, Zwai Bala. Sadly, the band lost Tokollo in 2022, but their artful confluence of classical, gospel, R&B, and hip-hop produced a string of kwaito dancefloor favourites including “Palafala”, “Masimbela”, “Dlala Mapantsula” and “We Love This Place”. In 2023, they celebrated 25 years of their definitive Halloweenrelease, including a vinyl re-issue, all of which has served to re-ignite interest in the group’s contributions to the South African musical landscape. Their presence on the HughFest stage is a reminder of our musical ability to grow our own.
KHAYA MAHLANGU WITH NHLANHLA MAHLANGU
Today, we celebrate a true legend, Khaya Mahlangu, as he marks an incredible 70 years of life and 50 years of unparalleled excellence in the music industry!
From the soulful melodies of his saxophone to his profound influence as a composer, teacher, and community developer, Khaya’s contributions have shaped the sound of our nation and inspired countless musicians across generations.
Not only has he mastered the art of music, but he has also dedicated his life to nurturing the next generation, passing down his knowledge and passion to young artists, ensuring that the legacy of South African music continues to thrive.
Join us in honouring a musical icon who has given us five decades of timeless music and a lifetime of inspiration. Here’s to many more years of harmony, creativity, and love for the arts.
Breaking ground on what promises to be a long and fruitful musical career Nhlanhla Mahlangu has been mentored by and worked with some of the finest South African and international jazz musicians. It was after his stellar performance at the inaugural Tshwane International Big Band Festival, that one of the headliners, Grammy-nominated Stefon Harris, then Dean of the Manhattan School of Music, invited Mahlangu to study in New York. In 2017, Mahlangu composed a multi-disciplinary work entitled DaniMali, aimed at narrating the story of a people’s identity during a time of transition. Mahlangu is a reccipient of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Scholarship and is a Class of 2024 graduate of Jazz Alto Saxophone at the Manhattan School of Music.
DATO SEIKO WITH JOHN SELOLWANE
John Selolwane is a Motswana guitarist best known for his work with Paul Simon, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa, Dorothy Masuku, Peter Gabriel and Stevie Wonder. Botswana’s Dato Seiko (Katlego Ntirang) is genre-fuid singer, songwriter and performer with a degree in Live Performance from AFDA. Growing up in a family of
singers, Dato began singing from a young age and it was her unique voice that distinguished her from any crowd.
In May 2021 the budding superstar released her debut EP ‘The Grace Effect’ which boasted six captivating tracks topping Apple Music alternative charts. Now an internet sensation, the Dato has won the hearts of many music lovers even outside of Botswana.
‘The Vow’, Dato Seiko’s most notable work began trending on TikTok and has now spawned over 44 million views on the platform with a global reach.
DJ BOB
DJ Bob’s love of Funk and Jazz music is evident in his sets that flow from Trad Jazz to Afrobeat, Acid Jazz, plenty South African music, Samba and Funkadelic 70s with a healthy dose of Trip Hop, Ninja Tunes and Breaks thrown in.
He got involved with live music during the early 90s in Yeoville, Johannesburg, before opening the seminal live music venue 206 Live in 1993 until 2001. He was actively involved in producing, booking and playing records at the OppiKoppi festival for 23 years and has played at the Bushfire festival in Swaziland as long as he can remember. Regular tours to Mozambique have built a solid fan base there too. DJ Bob practises as an entertainer, artist and tour manager, booking agent, consultant and production specialist and collector of Jazz, Funk, African and Rare Groove records. Today he promotes and tours DJ Bob Jazz Club and THINK FUNK at venues and festivals around SA.
Date: Sunday 1 December 2024
Time: 11:00 – 18:00 (Gates open at 10:00)
Address: Nirox Sculpture Park
Tickets: https://nirox.howler.co.za/events/hughfest-2024-0e5a/tickets
