A splendid afternoon of poetry, story-telling and folklore music sounds at Constitution Hill
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
They came from all corners of the city and beyond to witness wonderful performances as well as listening to stories that punctuated performances. The Folklore Festival, the brain child of folklore hugely talented and widely travelled musician Pilani Bubu that took place at Constitution Hill on Saturday, September 14, 2024, gave all of us a wonderfully splendid experience. Billed as a family experience, the festival lived up to its expectations as both the young and the old were well catered for.
When I and a friend arrived, a DJ was on the decks, followed by performances by a group from the National School of the Arts, a fitting billing as the festival was launched at the school two years ago.
However it was when Vangile Gantsho the feminist poet and author went on stage that I and a friend left the VIP area to go outside and enjoy her Afrocentric poetry rendition that she delivered with much energy backed by a band. Gathsho was then followed by another poet MoAfrika, who was also backed by a band. Enjoyed the most her poetry that she delivered in Sepedi as it came out as really authentic.
It was indeed an afternoon of the poets as MoAfrika was followed on stage shortly by none other than veteran story teller and poet Gcina Mhlophe. Mhlophe has charisma on stage and that helps a lot as it is easy to connect with her. She punctuated her singing with story -telling, obviously aimed at entertaining the younger crowd that was very much part of the audience.
When veteran musician and guitarist Madala Kunene went on stage, I could not resist the temptation to dance to his Afrocentric sound. He was backed by a talented young drummer. I enjoyed so much his set to the extent that even when I slipped off the grass mat for a chair and fell, I forgave myself, particularly because I managed to hang onto my drink that never even spilt a drop as I balanced it well, a good move because drinks that were for sale during the festival did not come cheap, therefore every drop mattered.
By the time that we left, we left with a feeling that we have had a good afternoon witnessing magic on stage. With this festival, Bubu has gotten it right, and I cannot wait for the next one next year.