Every year on September 24, South Africans celebrate the extraordinary richness and diversity of their heritage. As the holiday this year falls on a Thursday, Nelson Mandela Square decided to start celebrating a little earlier.
A Choral Celebration, to take place on Saturday, 19 September, was created to showcase the diverse cultural heritage that makes up our remarkable rainbow nation.
Nelson Mandela Square Manager, Sharon Swain, says: “On Saturday, 19 September, we will kick-off South Africa’s annual Heritage Day festivities with a free lunch time concert dedicated to showcasing some of South Africa’s well-known musical artists and a selection of the best school and adult choirs.
Under the guidance of conductor Tim Roberts, members of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra; Bongani Nxumalo from
94.7 Highveld stereo; the Soweto Spiritual Singers; and school choirs from the community, including The Ridge; Auckland Park Preparatory; St Katherine’s; Pridwin; and Roedean, will embrace the musical heritage of our different cultures – as diverse as the cosmopolitan mix of shoppers and visitors to the legendary Nelson Mandela Square.”
To add some contemporary South African sound to the Heritage Day celebrations, South African rock band, Prime Circle, will join Bongani and the choirs on stage for a live performance. Says Swain: “The band has always been known for igniting stages and longtime Prime Circle fans will be thrilled to know that that is exactly what they are planning to do again on the 19th here on Nelson Mandela Square!”
To mark the event, Nelson Mandela Square will give a gift of a Tag Your Love bookmark and pewter disk (inscribed with the Dream Big rose - symbolic of love; passion; beauty; and truth) to each choir member as an inspirational memento of a special day. The funds raised through this initiative will be donated to Tomorrow Trust's and the Walter Sisulu Pediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa.
So diarise 19 September, grab a seat in the marquee on the square and join all South Africans as we celebrate our future together.
The free Heritage Day Choral Celebration on Nelson Mandela Square on 19 September starts at 12:00 and will run until 14:00. For further information contact Nelson Mandela Square’s Marketing Department on 011 217 6000 or visit
www.nelsonmandelasquare.com.