CELEBRATED local Afro-jazz songstress Selmor Mtukudzi is
the only Zimbabwean musician engaged to share the stage with renowned African
musicians today in celebrating Africa Day to musically raise awareness on the
impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the continent.
At the Africa Day music showcase dubbed WAN Music Concert,
Selmor will join the continent’s A-team for a two-hour performance.
The concert will be broadcast for free in prime time on a
number of African national and private channels, with the technical support
from the African Union Broadcasting and Thomson Broadcast.
Selmor said she was humbled to share the stage with such
great names in the African music industry.
“It is an honour for me to be included in the coming
together of great African musicians to bring awareness about the COVID-19
pandemic and also give hope to our people,” she said.
The oncert comes a few weeks after Selmor featured on the
prayer song titled The Blessing Zimbabwe, a collaboration of local musicians,
sending a message of comfort as the nation grapples with the effects of
COVID-19.
In a statement, the concert organisers said all
participating artistes would raise awareness on the risks of infection, engage
in collective reflection on post-crisis in Africa, and support the construction
of the new Africa.
Some of the artistes selected to share the stage with
Selmor include Grammy award-winning Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, Salif Keita
(Mali), Senegalese singer-songwriter and actor Youssou N’Dour, and fellow
compatriot singer and guitarist Baaba Maal, Beninese singer-songwriter and actress
Angelic Kidjo, Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer
Fally Ipupa, Nigerian singer-songwriter Wizkid, Hiro a singer from Democratic
Republic of Congo, Martinican singer-songwriter Jocelyne Beroard and English
singer and producer Chris Martin.
Meanwhile, multi-award-winner Jah Prayzah, who is riding
high on his latest 10th album Hokoyo released last week, is set to perform at
the COVID-19 Hope For Africa concert courtesy of MultiChoice in partnership
with One Africa Global Foundation.
The COVID-19 Hope For Africa benefit concert that will air
on DStv across Africa will feature performances and appearances by top African
artistes, personalities from their homes. The funds raised will support
healthcare professionals across the continent.
At the virtual concert that will be screened at 8pm on May
31 on Africa Magic Family (DStv channel 154) Jah Prayzah will share the stage
with 2Baba, Akothee, Banky W, Betty G, CIC, Cobhams Asuquo, Dakore
Egbuson-Akande, Denola Grey, Diamond Platnumz, Eddie Jay, Jeff Maximum, Kyee
Benda, Osas Ighodaro, Princess Jnap Sessay, Praiz and Waje.
MultiChoice Zimbabwe spokesperson Liz Dziva said the
three-hour concert was part of efforts to support the eradication of the
coronavirus problem and will feature performances by top African artistes with
appearances by media and other personalities from across the continent.
“As a further support mechanism in the fight against
COVID-19, MultiChoice has partnered with the One Africa Global Foundation which
is a development arm of One Africa Global, a non-governmental, not-for-profit
organisation working for vulnerable and less-privileged people to host a
continent-wide broadcast of the COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert, an event that
will feature a Zimbabwean,” she said.
“All of them (artistes) will perform remotely and will give
goodwill messages of hope and encouragement to every African in the comfort and
safety of their homes. The DStv platform can use the power of entertainment to
give hope, enrich lives and bring people together, especially in these
difficult times and the COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert will be seen in 49
countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Dziva said funds raised from the concert would be used to
help ensure the safety and well-being of healthcare professionals across the
continent. Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment