The musical Nikeziwe (Courtesy of the Market Theatre)

RELATED LINKS: This week in Joburg OUTDOOR adventure, heritage, family treats, new art or museum shows - follow Lucille Davie's weekly selection of the most interesting city activities. Read more Theatre HOMEGROWN theatre is alive and well, as evidenced by the myriad productions staged at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in July each year. Many of these travel the country afterwards, often ending up at Johannesburg's famous Market Theatre in the Newtown cultural precinct, or at the Civic Theatre in Braamfontein. Read more What's on FROM art galleries to night clubs, from flea markets to the symphony, there is always something to do in Joburg. Read more

Put on your dancing shoes MBONGENI Ngema is back at the Market Theatre with another pulsating musical featuring new artists from his new music stable, Committed Artists Music. November 15, 2005 By Ndaba Dlamini THE music is scintillating and the dance mind-blowing - that is the best way to describe Nikeziwe, a musical showing at the Market Theatre in Newtown. Nikeziwe takes the audience on a musical journey that features an assortment of musical styles, ranging from jazz to mbaqanga and maskhandi, through Shembe gospel and soulful R&B. Congolese guitarist Kampi Moto, Zimbabwean mbira player David Chinyanga and maskhandi music maestro Matshitsh' anolwazi Ngema all feature. The dancers and backing vocals are provide by a cast from the celebrated House of Shaka and Sarafina!. Directed by Mbongeni Ngema, Nikeziwe features the talented young Jumaima Julius, who recently released a CD. Judging by the audience's reaction, she is the star of the show. Julius has a wonderful voice that is complemented by her nimble dancing, and Ngema sings her praises. "Jumaima has a fantastic voice and I expect this album to herald the beginning of what is sure to be a wonderful career for this amazingly talented young star," he says. Brought to Ngema's attention as the lead in the musical Ambi Sistas, Julius is set to follow in the footsteps of Leleti Khumalo, who starred in Sarafina! and Yesterday. Julius was born in Kimberly and grew up in a small town called Galeshewe. Nikeziwe is also "a musical celebration" of the launch of Committed Artists Music, Julius's CD and Ngema's latest release, My Baby. "The launch of the musical Nikeziwe marks an exciting and important period in my career," Ngema says. "I have finally decided that the time is right for me to launch an independent musical label, Committed Artists Music." Ngema released his debut album Stimela saseZola in 1985 with the Soul Brothers "and to this day Stimela saseZola is a cultural anthem for South Africa". "Since then the music that I have composed and recorded has always had a mbaqanga influence," Ngema says. "Mbaqanga music is to South Africa what reggae is to Jamaica." Nikeziwe's 12-piece band and 25 singers and dancers create a musical extravaganza that mesmerises and enthralls audiences. It is on at the Main Theatre at the Market Theatre Complex from 8 November to 3 December. For more information contact the Market Theatre publicity department on 011 832 1641. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za