By Emily Iannello
SOUTH Africa’s most heavenly voices are dedicating their Aussie tour, in Geelong this week, to one of their biggest fans — Nelson Mandela.
The Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir has performed alongside a host of stellar acts — U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Peter Gabriel, Josh Grobin, Andre Rieu — and will be bringing its unique brand of colour and dance to the Geelong Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday July 16.
Choreographer/performer Shimmy Jiyane told the Independent Mandala was “a part of the choir.”
“We met him before he passed away and took pictures with him,” he said.
“We are where we are because of what he fought for. We are very happy to be a part of that.”
Since Mandala’s passing, the ensemble has participated in services around the world commemorating his life.
These include a memorial service attended by US President Barack Obama, another for the Mandela Foundation in New York and at Westminster Abbey.
It performed for Mandala himself in South Africa.
The 24-strong choir’s concert will include a section dedicated to freedom songs and some of Mandala’s favourite hymns.
Expect “to sing along with us, expert dancers and colourful costumes”, Jiyane said.
“We sing in 11 different languages,” he said. “My favourite song to perform is This Little Light Of Mine.”
Jiyane told the Independent that choreographing is a “good feeling”.
“You get to learn about how to work with other people in different places. You also get to create the choir and see how the audience adds to what you’ve created.”
