Thousands of people braved the rain and cold to watch their stars at the Annual Motsepe Foundation’s “Christmas with our People” music concert hosted on the East London beachfront.Buffalo City Metro disaster management estimated that by 5.45pm on Saturday, there were 10000 people around the vicinity where the concert took place.
The show is hosted by billionaire Patrice Motsepe “to say thank you to the community”.
It kicked off at noon despite heavy rain to a crowd of about 300 people and by 3.30pm, as the rain eased off, the crowd began to swell.
Every year the event attracts thousands of revellers from around Buffalo City Metro and is free of charge.
It is aimed at reaching out and contributing to the poor who, under normal circumstances, would not be able afford a ticket to see national and international stars perform live.
Artists who wowed the crowd were Boom Shaka, Mandoza, Thebe, Busiswa, Dr Malinga, DBN NYTS, Zahara, Nathi, DJ Tira, Trompies, DJ Sphectecular and Naves, Donald, Professor, Mafikizolo and Big Nuz.
Kwaito superstar Dr Malinga said he became emotional when he saw people dancing in the rain.
“I then lost myself and gave them the performance of my life,” Malinga said. He described Motsepe as a businessman who was “not selfish”.
Head of the Foundation Sandile Langa said the concert was alcohol and incident free. Unlike previous years, the venue was enclosed with a steel fence and there was controlled access, where revellers were searched for alcohol and dangerous weapons before entering.
Word got out late that Motsepe himself would not be attending the concert as he has done in previous years.
Langa said the reason was Motsepe’s busy work schedule and other commitments.
He described the show as wonderful. “The only thing we were worried about was the wind and the rain, but despite the bad weather, the people of Buffalo City came out in their numbers. We couldn’t be happier.”
Langa said all logistics and artists were paid for by Motsepe, and that the event was a gift from the Motsepe family to the people of Buffalo City.
“We want to bring the spirit of Christmas,” Langa said.
Asked how much it cost Motsepe to host such a massive concert, Langa said: “You never question how much a gift costs when you are giving it.”
He said the foundation would be back in the city on December 10 to distribute toys to poor children who would otherwise not get a Christmas present.
For BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi, the event was a way for him and his political constituencies to de-stress.
Mtsi brought metro first lady Nolundi Mtsi along, and danced along to the sounds of Mafikizolo.
Speaking to the Dispatch later, Mtsi said: “As people of Buffalo City we need these events to de-stress and enjoy ourselves.
“I am happy that people came in such huge numbers. For me, this is a success,” Mtsi said. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Christmas spirit triumphs over rain
Buffalo City Metro disaster management estimated that by 5.45pm on Saturday, there were 10000 people around the vicinity where the concert took place.
The show is hosted by billionaire Patrice Motsepe “to say thank you to the community”.
It kicked off at noon despite heavy rain to a crowd of about 300 people and by 3.30pm, as the rain eased off, the crowd began to swell.
Every year the event attracts thousands of revellers from around Buffalo City Metro and is free of charge.
It is aimed at reaching out and contributing to the poor who, under normal circumstances, would not be able afford a ticket to see national and international stars perform live.
Artists who wowed the crowd were Boom Shaka, Mandoza, Thebe, Busiswa, Dr Malinga, DBN NYTS, Zahara, Nathi, DJ Tira, Trompies, DJ Sphectecular and Naves, Donald, Professor, Mafikizolo and Big Nuz.
Kwaito superstar Dr Malinga said he became emotional when he saw people dancing in the rain.
“I then lost myself and gave them the performance of my life,” Malinga said. He described Motsepe as a businessman who was “not selfish”.
Head of the Foundation Sandile Langa said the concert was alcohol and incident free. Unlike previous years, the venue was enclosed with a steel fence and there was controlled access, where revellers were searched for alcohol and dangerous weapons before entering.
Word got out late that Motsepe himself would not be attending the concert as he has done in previous years.
Langa said the reason was Motsepe’s busy work schedule and other commitments.
He described the show as wonderful. “The only thing we were worried about was the wind and the rain, but despite the bad weather, the people of Buffalo City came out in their numbers. We couldn’t be happier.”
Langa said all logistics and artists were paid for by Motsepe, and that the event was a gift from the Motsepe family to the people of Buffalo City.
“We want to bring the spirit of Christmas,” Langa said.
Asked how much it cost Motsepe to host such a massive concert, Langa said: “You never question how much a gift costs when you are giving it.”
He said the foundation would be back in the city on December 10 to distribute toys to poor children who would otherwise not get a Christmas present.
For BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi, the event was a way for him and his political constituencies to de-stress.
Mtsi brought metro first lady Nolundi Mtsi along, and danced along to the sounds of Mafikizolo.
Speaking to the Dispatch later, Mtsi said: “As people of Buffalo City we need these events to de-stress and enjoy ourselves.
“I am happy that people came in such huge numbers. For me, this is a success,” Mtsi said. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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