A number of Mitchell’s Plain artists are on the line-up of the Mzansi Many Roots, One Tree production on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27, at the Roxy Revue Bar at GrandWest.
They will be joined on stage by performers from Lavender Hill, Khayelitsha and Langebaan.
Artists are working closely with Vicky Sampson, Gabi Le Roux and Nini Schlechter, founders of Mzansi Cultural Industries (MCI), which was launched in 2018 with the focus on uniting diverse communities, through various genres of song and dance styles including hip hop, contemporary and rap.
Na’eem Salie, 19, from Tafelsig, and Tiffany Kesner, 19, from Lentegeur, both former Cedar High School of the Arts pupils, will be performing at the show as a contemporary dance duo.
Na’eem started gymnastics in 2014, when he was 15. He and Tiffany started dancing as a duo at school in 2016 and have remained partners.
They were finalists at the Funderland show at GrandWest in 2018 and were chosen to be a part of the Mzansi Many Roots, One Tree production.
“Dancing is a way of expressing yourself, one can say many things through your movements,” said Na’eem.
Tiffany loves dancing “It takes me out of my environment. It helps me express how I feel,” she said. They are both excited to perform in the show.
Kevin J is a soul vocalist who grew up in Manenberg and currently lives in Mitchell’s Plain. He started his singing career in 2005.
“I feel honoured to be part of this production, it’s a fresh South African cast and content. Also this will be my second run with the production and I am looking forward to where it will go,” he said.
Craig Hendricks, 22, known as Craiig’O, is a rapper from Tafelsig, who will also be performing for the second time at this show.
He has been rapping since he was 18 when his friend invited him to join him in the studio and record some songs.
“I am very serious about my language, and representing Afrikaans. Where I come from and my community, that’s important. I am very excited to be performing at this show. People should hear my message and what I represent,” he said.
Craiig’O also raps to give his three-year-old daughter and his parents a better life.
He would like to change the Western Cape in a positive way through his music.
Vicky Sampson will have a special performance debuting her new single, One Land One Cry, which has a strong message about uniting our nation. It is a follow on from her world renowned, African Dream song. This latest single is composed by Nini Schlechter and produced by Gabi Le Roux.
You can catch the Mzansi Many Roots, One Tree production on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27 at the Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest, at 8pm.
Tickets cost R150 each through Computicket.