Big talent comes home to ignite Mdantsane

Thousands of Mdantsane music lovers are in for a treat when a wide array of local and national artists descend for the 10th edition of the Mdantsane Summer Reunion (MSR) on Friday.

The popular annual event, hosted at Winter Rose Rugby Stadium in NU 13 by Mdantsane entertainment gurus Loudnoise Entertainment, will see award-winning Zulu rapper Sjava headlining the event, expected to be attended by more than 10,000 people.

Sjava, popular for hits such as Mama and Indlalifa, will share the stage with East London-born, Johannesburg-based singer and songwriter Msaki and amapiano DJ Papers 707.

Sjava will be making his first-ever appearance in front of the jovial Mdantsane crowd.

The homecoming event, for Mdantsane natives who work outside the Buffalo City Metro area, will be hosted by award-winning Mdantsane-born comedian Siya Seya, MdantsaneFM’s Yanga “Yarees” Mabhokela and Buhle Geleba.

It will see local artists iNdlobongela, Madineo and talented rapper Hasty South performing live in front of their home crowd.

The annual music pilgrimage will also boast a groovy lineup of local DJs, including GQ, Welo, Yoba, Cruelboyz, Misser Housefanatic, Bandz Native, Prince Lloyd, Biggz LeFun from Port Elizabeth, Mjazz, DJ Nteyah, Blackspade, Young Reezy and DJ Dede.

MSR founder Sivuyile Ntushelo said: “We’ve had an incredible run and it’s unbelievable that we have had this annual pilgrimage which will be celebrating a decade of incident-free and raving bangers that enthral revellers.

“This is a homecoming event for Mdantsane natives who work outside the BCM area to rejoice with family and friends. Because it’s our 10th anniversary year, we’ll be pulling out all the stops to ensure that it will be a special and memorable event. We want to take the groove and the vibe to another level.”

Event organiser Thabo Seboka said: “2019 is a landmark year for our homecoming music which pays special tribute to Mdantsane natives. We have been fortunate to have attracted revellers from far afield as Mthatha, Port Elizabeth and holidaymakers who want to experience a different vibe. We see this as a platform that contributes to the promotion of Buffalo City as a destination of choice.”

Loudnoise Entertainment’s media liaison officer Lwando Jevu said: “Each year, we go to great lengths to celebrate the truly remarkable talents among local DJs, and some of them launched their careers at the MSR.

“These DJs can now stand head and shoulders with some of the best-known DJs in the game. Each year they are forced to push the creative envelope and we have seen remarkable performances in the past — and this year will be special and different,” Jevu added.

A first-timer on the Summer Reunion stage is clinical psychologist and Xhosa rapper Mthetho Tshemese, otherwise known as iNdlobongela. He said all those attending would get value for their money as he planned to give them a taste of his new album, Lomculo Liyeza.

“Being from the Eastern Cape, specifically Mdantsane township, for me personally there is no greater stage than the MSR. This is no disrespect to any other stages I’ve had the honour of gracing — they, too, are important.

“I am truly humbled and appreciate the honour of sharing the stage with two amazing special guests in Msaki and Sjava. I admire them both as performing artists and for their authentic sound, and hope that all young artists from the province will take note that there is value in being who you are, and not aspire to sound like someone else,” iNdlobongela said.

Doors will open at 3pm and tickets cost R150 and are available at Computicket and Siyatha Caltex garage in NU15. There will be no tickets sold at the gate.

The next day, on Saturday, at East London’s North End stadium, it will be an old school music battle between DJs from Port Elizabeth and East London.

PE will be represented by DJ Clibo and Eazy-E, while East London will be behind DJ Tappas and Vinay The Jazzmaster during the battle, where R80 will get you in. Tickets are available at Nate’s Car Sales.