South African musicians give a spirited performance at the Rebirth Ubuntu Concert

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

It felt like a place where the young and the old could meet –united by one common goal –quality jazz music. That was on Friday, May, 29, 2026, at Joburg Theatre. It was a concert not to have missed unnecessarily. You should have seen how old friends were united. Greeting warmly, giving each other wide smiles and hearty hugs that seemed to linger long. Both the young and not so young, discerning music lovers and those invited to the gig by those who care, at the end, it did not matter who was who in the zoo. It was time to simply relax and enjoy good music. It was an occasion to embrace and have all the excuses in the world to go out on an evening when those that normally make Winter nights cold, must have gone to sleep too early. We did not complain.

It was time to listen to South African music export to Belgium Tutu Puaone belt out Sibongile Khumalo’s songs, as if she owned them, before giving the appreciative audience a dose of her own creation.

A revived Lira, after that painful stroke that almost cost her life and thriving career, was on the night in her element. Yes, she alluded to the fact that she was still recovering from that personal health challenge, and when speaking, one could feel the intensity of the stroke as words sometimes came out somehow a bit strained.

However, there was no doubt that our beloved Lira is overcoming that challenge. Slow and steady. If there is some doubt in some of her fans, there must have witnessed Lira in her usual element of defying this health hazard, as she sang so effortlessly and so naturally that at that moment, there was no trace of her health challenges that one could detect when she was speaking. Just shortly before she sang her heart out.

The audience responded rapturously in appreciation. She got a deserved standing ovation at the end of her set. Lira is back for sure after that fateful day of the stroke. The singer is overcoming and becoming herself.

Billy Monama’s spirited guitar riffs were so good that if one closed their eyes and listened, one could be excused for thinking that they were listening to the late Alan Kwela. He paid tribute to Alan in a spirited and authentic way. So good that some among the audience who have witnessed Kwela perform in his life time, were left with no doubt that Monama did justice to Alan’s legacy. I remember the last time when I watched Alan perform at Baseline in Melville. It was a memorable performance, and Monama took some of us back to that concert. He clearly did justice to Alan’s legacy.

And so did Vusi Nova to Lucky Dube’s legacy, as well as Zoe Modiga to Busi Mhlongo’s rich musical heritage.

The atmosphere was so electric and so up-tempo by these artists that when featured artist Jimmy Dludlu came on stage, he appeared to struggle to keep up the tempo set by the performers high. Jimmy is always an electrifying performer and he always has a way of interacting with the audience. But on that evening, he appeared to be missing something. He struggled to connect, for some inexplicable treason. It was not for the lack of the energetic and engaging performances that Jimmy is well known for though. Rather it could be that, what was supposed to be his shine was already taken away by the rest of the musicians who performed before him.

However, as an experienced jazz musician, he somehow salvaged his honour during the last song when he left the stage and interacted with the audience. They in turn gave him the respect he has earned as a senior jazz guitarist.

What a wonderful evening it was. And just as Monama had said in his long address to the audience, Rebirth is more than a music concert. It is a nation building exercise indeed, contributing to social cohesion by uniting music lovers across age and class. The main sponsor is Capitec, and this is a third iteration of the concert.

And by the way, kudus to the 20 piece orchestra, conducted by none other than Grammy award winning producer Joe Arthur. They performed beautifully in support of 5he musicians, and they did a damn good job.