The stellar performance by the Eastern Cape Indigenous Music and Dance Ensemble on Thursday evening was one of the many indications that the 2018 National Arts Festival is in full swing in Makhanda [formerly known as Grahamstown].
The ensemble, which is no stranger to the festival’s stages delivered yet another traditional dance and song-filled performance celebrating all things African. The ensemble annually pays tribute to revolutionary South African stalwarts through their performance.
The group paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, who would both be 100 this year.
The group of 54 performers took audience members on a musical celebration of different tribes and cultures housed across all parts of the province. The group is uniquely made up of young and old folk of amaXhosa, amaMpondo, amaBhaca, and abaThembu tribes, and the Khoisan, Sesotho and Indian cultures.
On Thursday, the 45-minute musical infused sounds of the marimba, African drums, Uhadi bow, a saxophone and flute instruments filled the Thomas Pringle Hall as the ensemble creatively captured their love for indigenous song and dance. Umxhentso traditional dancing was a favourite with the audience, who chanted, clapped, sang and danced along with the performers.
First-time festival-goer Thomas Lossius from Norway, said the show captured elements of “what it means to be African”.
“It was a celebration of what Africans stand for. The joy and great energy in their performance all came together beautifully,” he said.
Nofanisile Kalolose, 78, from Centane, is one of the ensemble’s oldest members, and she said she became ecstatic each year when the call to perform arrived.
“I rejoice every time I get the call that we will be going to Grahamstown [now Makhanda] to perform. I enjoy dancing so much. It keeps me warm and fuzzy inside and even heals whatever ailments I had.”
Kalolose, who said she had been dancing since her youth, said she had taken up to performing arts as a fish to water. “I’ve been dancing for years, and I enjoy being on the Arts Festival stage so much.”
Production manager, Mkoi Matshoba, said when the group got to the stage, they focused on sharing their passion with audience members and “forgot all about their challenges and constraints”.
Last year, the ensemble commended the OR Tambo centenary through featured elements of drama and role-playing, which they left out of this year’s performance. Instead, they fused song, dance and short film clips together to narrate Sisulu’s life story.
“We wanted Mama Sisulu to be the main figure in our show today because the focus is always on Nelson Mandela – downplaying the contributions of other stalwarts to the pursuit of freedom,” Matshoba said. — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za..