From South Africa to Vancouver, Soweto Gospel Choir sings of hopefulness
The renowned 22-member ensemble performs its concert HOPE: It’s Been a Long Time Coming
Soweto Gospel Choir. Photo by Stephen Garnett
Caravan World Rhythms presents the Soweto Gospel Choir on November 12 at 8 pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
NEXT SPRING WILL mark the 20th anniversary of Soweto Gospel Choir’s first performance: it was at the 46664 Concert hosted by international hero and human rights activist Nelson Mandela to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS in Africa. The ensemble formed the year prior and has gone on to win three Grammy awards; share a stage with the likes of U2, Beyonce, and Jimmy Cliff; sing for world leaders such as Barack Obama and Desmond Tutu; and belt out its signature soulful songs the world over. It all began with a shared belief in better days ahead. That same kind of faith in the future forms the basis for the group’s current North American tour, on which Vancouver is one of just two Canadian stops.
Shimmy Jiyane.
“We sing the freedom songs that kept South Africa together, the freedom songs that kept everybody intact in terms of believing that one day in South Africa we will be free as Black people,” says choir master, choreographer, dancer, and tenor Shimmy Jiyane in a phone interview with Stir from a U.S. tour stop. “We are sharing the story of hope for the civil rights of African Americans that were oppressed….What we want to share with people now, coming through COVID—where we lost our loved ones and where people have lost jobs—is the hope that everything is starting to come back together.
“Any person in the world is important; we breathe one air,” he adds. “Once more, the music has to come in and reunite people and make people aware that there is hope. The reason why they say ‘music is food for the soul’ is because it’s truth. Be joyful, be happy, be positive in life, and everything will be okay. Hope is what we’re bringing.”
HOPE: It’s Been a Long Time Coming is the title of the choir’s concert, which features 22 artists, many drawn from churches in and around Soweto, a well-known township just outside of Johannesburg. Wearing hand-made traditional costumes in a range of bold, beautiful colours, the group will present a program that blends singing, dancing, and drumming. Of South Africa’s 11 official languages, the ensemble sings in six of them, including Xhosa, Sotho, and Zulu. Charitable giving is important to Soweto Gospel Choir, which supports Nkosi’s Haven, an organization that helps children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Jiyane has been with the Soweto Gospel Choir since day one, as a founding member. Being on stage with the choir is where he finds his greatest happiness. He promises the kind of show that will stay with audiences long after it’s over.
“There’s a story that’s going to be told through music,” Jiyane says. “You are going to be moved by it. You are going to be thrilled by the dancing you see on stage. You are going to be energized by the power of the choreography for the choir and the power of the drumming of the African drums.
“We also tell a story about where we come from and who we are,” Jiyane adds. “Once you hear the African sound, it just brings harmony and peace. People must expect a very high-energy show with a very strong message of hope. We want people to be encouraged, to be happy, for the spirits of people to be energized and full of joy and hope and peace. Let’s come and witness that hope.”
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