Mama Africa – The Musical: The Life and
Times of an International Legend
Three days of foot stomping energy, with audiences
enjoying traditional dance to the tunes of songs that have stood the test of
time – the first-ever performance of Miriam
Makeba Mama Africa – The Musical was a fitting tribute to legendary South
African artist, Miriam Makeba.
The big musical showcase is a
celebration of the 30-year partnership and collaboration between the University
of Missouri St Louis and the University of the Western Cape. The musical is a
focus on the life, times and struggles of icon and music legend, Miriam Makeba.
And it was a fitting celebration. Performances
took place from 26 to 28 May – celebrating both Africa Month and World Africa
Day – at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Bellville Campus
Auditorium.
The production, with its all-South
African cast and orchestra consisting of students, professional and
semi-professional community dancers and actors, featured 30 of Makeba’s most
popular songs. It proved to be a dramatic show full of sound and sentiment,
vibrancy and drama, and defiance of the apartheid era from the perspective of
the black majority.
This musical is an original musical
drama, researched and written over three years (and ultimately directed) by
American Professor and Broadway director Niyi Coker Jr. with support from the
Carnegie Africa Diaspora Fellowship Program, and in association with the ZM
Makeba Trust and Siyandisa Music.
“It is quite humbling – and a true privilege
– to be able to tell the story of this icon,” says Coker.
As for the performance, the kind of
energy it evoked came straight from the heart, in true South African style, and
it was inspiring to see audiences reciprocating. On all three nights – the
energy was simply too contagious to curb the spontaneous interaction that each
show evoked.
That audience participation was the
highlight for many of the cast members who remarked that they were feeding off
the energy they were receiving from the audience.
“It was quite a different
experience performing for the first time, testing the play in front of an
audience,” said Ameera Juta, a second year UWC BA degree student and one of the
youngest cast members. “The first night was extra special – it had a large number
of students who could relate to the story and even interact and identify with
the play, and I think a lot of them are more curious to know more about the
liberation struggle after seeing the musical. Even though Miriam Makeba's music
is not from our generation, we have grown to love the tunes and learn about the
country's history in a very practical way.”
Director of International Relations
at UWC, Leolyn Jackson, thanked the creative team for their contribution.
“The music was great, the dance was
vibrant, and the story reminded me of the time of my connection to the civil
rights movement and my connection to the struggle against apartheid here,” said
Prof Mike Middleton, Interim President of the University of Missouri System. “It
was a deep and meaningful experience; well done to the whole cast.
The musical is part of UWC’s
legacy, noted UWC’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tyrone Pretorius, and particularly
the legacy of his predecessor as Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian ‘O Connell. “I’m
so blessed to be standing on the shoulders of giants,” he remarked.
And Prof Brian O’ Connell said
youngsters who missed the show should definitely make a point of experiencing
it. “It is a wonderful venture and I’m impressed by the energy poured out on
stage – not simply the choreography; they’re giving a real expression of the
fight against apartheid,” he said. “I hope this show goes to many parts of the
world and will be carried over to the next generation.”
The show leaves for the US in
September – but not to worry, it has a second run at the Baxter Theatre in Cape
Town in February 2017, before it embarks on a Johannesburg tour.
