Thousands of music lovers flocked to Buffalo Park cricket stadium yesterday for the 8th annual Buyel’Ekhaya Pan African Music Festival, arguably the biggest music show on the continent.
High-spirited revellers poured into the venue, armed with camp chairs and cooler boxes, for the picnic-like event as early as midday yesterday. More than 15 000 people had filled half of the ground by yesterday afternoon.
Umhlobo Wenene FM midday show presenter Reggie Solani, who was one of seven MCs lined up for the 24-hour music marathon, kept the crowd entertained by introducing local artists.
The crowd also jammed to old school kwaito music played by Tru FM afternoon show host DJ Luks Gidane.
A well-balanced lineup of legendary musos including the Jonas Gwangwa, Ringo and Dorothy Masuku, to young performers such as AKA, Mobi Dixon and Babes Wodumo, catered for music lovers of all ages.
The organisers of the event had a special surprise for the revellers, a special collaboration between leading jazz artist Gwangwa, Amacala hit-maker Siphokazi Marhaqana and East London soul singing sensation Msaki.
The perimeter fence at the event stretched from the busy corner of Bowles Street to the North East Expressway.
Revellers had to walk 800m to reach the gates of the stadium. A large contingent of police and traffic officers controlled the flow of traffic.
Although four streets had been closed in the vicinity of the stadium, people still had access to the beach, Buccaneers pub and the Esplanade.
Event founder Nomahlubi Mazwai said this year’s lineup of artists was a blend of international performers such as Gwangwa and Black Coffee and upcoming musicians such as Msaki.
Speaking to the Dispatch at the event, Mazwai said: “We strive to expose young, emerging artists to world renowned artists like Black Coffee, so that they can be inspired.”
Young and seasoned artists were included in the lineup to cater for everyone.
“It is going to be so lovely here; the older like Masuku, Gwangwa and so on will leave the stage at midnight, and then we will infuse new energy through young artists with their light-hearted dance music at 1am.
“Our audiences are music-loving people – they are connoisseurs of music, art and culture.”
Mazwai said this year’s event was the biggest since 2014, when a stampede took place due to overcrowding.
“Luckily there was no tragedy – there’s never been crime during our events.”
About 573 security personnel had been placed on guard inside and outside the stadium. “I want to thank the people for their unwavering support over the years. Our aim is to instill pride in our being, which is African – that is the aim of Buyel’Ekhaya .”
Kiro Magaxeni from Selborne said he had been attending the festival since 2011. “I always come here because the atmosphere is wonderful; I’m looking forward to Black Coffee’s performance.”
NomaFrench Malahle, 64, said the event was a bonding session with her daughter, Nomathamsanqa Vusani, 31.
“I’m here for Ringo but it is also nice to spend some time out with my daughter, who doesn’t go out with me often. She usually goes out with her boyfriend,” said Malahle, looking at her embarrassed daughter.
Vusani said she was glad her mother had taken her to the show. “It is my first time here, and from now on I will come back.” — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
Buyel’Ekhaya takes off
High-spirited revellers poured into the venue, armed with camp chairs and cooler boxes, for the picnic-like event as early as midday yesterday. More than 15 000 people had filled half of the ground by yesterday afternoon.
Umhlobo Wenene FM midday show presenter Reggie Solani, who was one of seven MCs lined up for the 24-hour music marathon, kept the crowd entertained by introducing local artists.
The crowd also jammed to old school kwaito music played by Tru FM afternoon show host DJ Luks Gidane.
A well-balanced lineup of legendary musos including the Jonas Gwangwa, Ringo and Dorothy Masuku, to young performers such as AKA, Mobi Dixon and Babes Wodumo, catered for music lovers of all ages.
The organisers of the event had a special surprise for the revellers, a special collaboration between leading jazz artist Gwangwa, Amacala hit-maker Siphokazi Marhaqana and East London soul singing sensation Msaki.
The perimeter fence at the event stretched from the busy corner of Bowles Street to the North East Expressway.
Revellers had to walk 800m to reach the gates of the stadium. A large contingent of police and traffic officers controlled the flow of traffic.
Although four streets had been closed in the vicinity of the stadium, people still had access to the beach, Buccaneers pub and the Esplanade.
Event founder Nomahlubi Mazwai said this year’s lineup of artists was a blend of international performers such as Gwangwa and Black Coffee and upcoming musicians such as Msaki.
Speaking to the Dispatch at the event, Mazwai said: “We strive to expose young, emerging artists to world renowned artists like Black Coffee, so that they can be inspired.”
Young and seasoned artists were included in the lineup to cater for everyone.
“It is going to be so lovely here; the older like Masuku, Gwangwa and so on will leave the stage at midnight, and then we will infuse new energy through young artists with their light-hearted dance music at 1am.
“Our audiences are music-loving people – they are connoisseurs of music, art and culture.”
Mazwai said this year’s event was the biggest since 2014, when a stampede took place due to overcrowding.
“Luckily there was no tragedy – there’s never been crime during our events.”
About 573 security personnel had been placed on guard inside and outside the stadium. “I want to thank the people for their unwavering support over the years. Our aim is to instill pride in our being, which is African – that is the aim of Buyel’Ekhaya .”
Kiro Magaxeni from Selborne said he had been attending the festival since 2011. “I always come here because the atmosphere is wonderful; I’m looking forward to Black Coffee’s performance.”
NomaFrench Malahle, 64, said the event was a bonding session with her daughter, Nomathamsanqa Vusani, 31.
“I’m here for Ringo but it is also nice to spend some time out with my daughter, who doesn’t go out with me often. She usually goes out with her boyfriend,” said Malahle, looking at her embarrassed daughter.
Vusani said she was glad her mother had taken her to the show. “It is my first time here, and from now on I will come back.” — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
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