Entertainment

Shekhinah, YoungstaCPT among guests to perform at festive lights switch-on

The theme for this year’s festive lights switch-on is #BeInspiring – a well-timed call for Capetonians to stand up and help shape our common destiny.

Table Mountain may be the biggest star on Cape Town’s long list of attractions, but it is the people of the Mother City that make this beautiful landmark really shine.

The Cape’s biggest free open-air event will take place at the Grand Parade and surrounding streets on Sunday 2 December 2018, from 16:00. Each year, thousands of locals and visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere of this fun outdoor event and, in particular, watching a range of entertainers light up the event with their energy and music.

Shekhinah

2018 will be no different, with an exciting line-up that includes:
DJ Loyd
Sarah Theron
Yanga
Kunjalo
The Unknown Dance Crew
Robin Pieters featuring Elwira Standili
Emo Adams
YoungstaCPT
Shekhinah
Kwesta
Dr Victor and The Rasta Rebels
Also joining the line-up will be the winner of the 2018 Festive Lights Switch-on Music Challenge on indi.com (don’t forget to enter).

Each act has impacted on the local creative arts scene and highlights just how everyone can share in shaping a dynamic South African identity.

YoungstarWith numerous accolades, such as ‘Best City in the World,’ ‘One of the Most Innovative Cities in The World’ and most recently being named the ‘World’s Leading Festival and Events Destination,’ Cape Town is seen as the city of inspiration. Now Capetonians are called upon to think about how best to #BeInspiring.

There’s no better icon to galvanise one into action other than the late Nelson Mandela. This year marks what would have been Madiba’s 100th birthday and, to honour his centenary, South Africans are encouraged to reflect on his life and legacy. This is the time to rekindle our common desire to do good, and to help the less fortunate in practical ways – to be motivated by the legacy Madiba left to future generations.

There are many ways of answering the call to ‘find the Madiba in you,’ and the festive lights switch-on is the perfect time to symbolically reinforce this commitment.

DJ Loyd

DJ and TV and radio presenter Loyiso Mdebuka represented Smirnoff at a campus level as a Smirnoff Spin Agent and scooped top honours. As a TV Presenter on SABC 2’s Hectic Nine-9, he appeared daily to over 2,5 million viewers. In 2011, he released his first compilation album with DJ Euphonik, titled Euphonik Presents Phuture DJs Volume 1, and became a regular Mixshow DJ on 5fm’s MyHouse. He also founded The Live Out Your Dreams Tour.

Sarah Theron

Singer-songwriter Sarah Theron has been receiving standing ovations for over two decades. A versatile vocalist, she excels in a range of styles. She has been the star of many a pantomime, musical, cabaret and TV show, including Nunsense for Pieter Toerien; a Vita Award-winning solo cabaret titled Yet Another Fat Lady Sings; and Soli & Sarah Se #Mense with Soli Philander. Her music is playlisted on all Afrikaans radio stations in South Africa and Namibia.

Yanga
This Idols SA favourite has amazed both listeners and judges. Yanga’s medley of Avulekile Amasango by the Soweto Gospel Choir left judge Somizi speaking in tongues. His forecast was that Yanga Sobetwa was going to be a superstar. Even Zahara has praised Season 14’s youngest contestant. The 16-year-old wants to be a gospel singer.

Kunjalo

Kunjalo Music Ministries pulls together talented performers from in and around Elsies River. ‘Kunjalo’ means ‘It is so – all things are possible’ in isiXhosa. The group consists of eight vocalists and five musicians. The band has performed at five consecutive Jazzathons, as well as at the Chicago Festival and the Portnet Festival. Kunjalo appeared onstage with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and more. They’ve released six albums.

The Unknown Dance Crew

The Unknown Dance Crew from Ocean View was established in 2010. This ensemble consists of four masked dancers – JP Koopman, Erin Carelse, Brandon Silinda and Carlo Simons. Their standout feature is their use of a theatrical style of dance. The crew has opened for Toya Delazy, Busiswa and Jimmy Nevis. They won second place on SA’s Got Talent and appeared in Ifani’s Ayadelela video.

Robin Pieters featuring Elwira Standili

Robin Pieters has appeared as lead or backing vocalist for the likes of Peaches and Herb, and Cece Peniston. He gained a following while participating in The Voice SA and made a splash with ‘It’s A Love Thing.’ An Idols SA contestant, Worcester-born singer Elwira Standili is a recording artist and motivational speaker. She successfully staged African Queen – The Future at the Baxter this year.

Emo Adams
Emo Adams celebrated 30 years in music in March, when JAG (Just Another Band) looked back on three decades of Emo’s career. Starting out in musical roles such as in District 6: The Musical and Kat & The Kings, Emo has a knack for making his shows extra special. He’s embraced the TV medium with Noot Vir Noot, Malan en Kie and the Emo 30 Show for kykNET.

Youngsta

YoungstaCPT has 30 mixtapes and numerous EPs under his belt. The man is regarded as one of the most important South African emcees of his generation. His sound is dubbed ‘Kaapstad’, and he takes listeners to unexpected places nuanced by his specific slang. He teamed up with fellow rapper Irshaad Ally for ‘Dala Wat Jy Moet’ for hard-hitting film Nommer 37.

Shekhinah

2018 has been a great year for Shekhinah Donnell, with her nomination for six SAMAs, and achieving three wins. Her Rosegold album is currently certified gold and she is optimistic this will grow in light of her partnership with Spotify. The Durban-born pop/R&B vocalist has appeared on Idols and has clocked up hits like ‘Back to the Beach’ and ‘Let You Know.’ In 2016 she featured on Black Coffee’s single, ‘Your Eyes,’ plus on Jesse Clegg’s ‘Breathing.’

Kwesta

In the 10 years since his first single announced his arrival on the South African music scene, Kwesta has carved out a very unique path for himself, not least of all pushing Hip-Hop into the South African mainstream. Over this time he has maintained much of the street-cred that made him a revered and undefeated battle rapper before his first recording deal. Releasing chart topping singles in every popular genre, he is now putting all that experience to use grooming the next generation of African rap superstars with his label, Rap Lyf Records, which is a legacy project with the aim of exporting African hip-hop to the rest of the world.
Dr Victor and The Rasta Rebels

For more than 40 years Dr. Victor, real name Victor Khojane, has been crafting and creating an uplifting up-tempo sound that has earned this singer, musician, songwriter and producer an enviable reputation on the South African music scene and abroad.

Together with his group The Rasta Rebels, they continue to be one of the busiest live bands in South Africa and abroad, doing a range of events from corporate gigs to headlining shows across the country and abroad.

Source: IOL News