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South Africa to Celebrate 10 Years of
Freedom in Edinburgh, 21 - 22 August 2004
Edinburgh's Princess Street Gardens will be transformed
into a little corner of South Africa over the weekend
of August 21-22 with a cultural extravaganza to celebrate
10 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa.
Top South African jazz musicians Caiphus Semenya and
Letta Mbulu top the bill for a FREE weekend of music,
dance, arts and crafts as part of the month-long world-famous
Edinburgh Festival.
South Africa in the Gardens will bring together top
South African musicians as well as artisans and delegations
representing all nine of South Africa's provinces.
The musical programme is a fusion of styles and cultures,
including the Soweto Gospel Choir, a mix of African
rock and reggae with Sagrenti; Africa meets Scotland
with Cantara and a heady gumbo of 'shanty punk' from
Junkman's Choir.
Also taking centre stage will be Scottish singer Frances
Lynch and 'guitar George' from Dire Straits fame who
will perform music specially commissioned for the weekend.
Edinburgh-based producers Neo Production will bring
the South African musical Once Were Free, based on an
examination of slavery, to the event.
This year is the tenth anniversary of South Africa's
first democratic and non-racial election. The inauguration
of Nelson Mandela as president in May 1994 marked the
end of apartheid and the birth of the new South Africa.
South African High Commissioner, Lindiwe Mabuza, said:
"South Africans are delighted and proud at the
strong and growing relationship between our country,
the City of Edinburgh and the Scottish people, which
goes back many years.
"We hope and trust that the people of Edinburgh
will take the opportunity to come along to South Africa
in the Gardens, fall under the spell of wonderful, unique
South African music and entertainment and join with
us in celebrating our precious new freedom."
Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Lesley Hinds, said: "Edinburgh
and Glasgow both have a long association with the anti
apartheid movement. Many people worked tirelessly in
both cities, and indeed across Scotland, to bring about
and maintain democracy in South Africa.
"South Africa in the Gardens is a great example
of the colour and spirit associated with South African
artistic and musical traditions and the new creativity
released with the advent of freedom and democracy. This
will be a wonderful event and a unique occasion. I encourage
the people of Edinburgh to come along and learn more
about South Africa."
For a full listing of the weekend's FREE performances,
please visit: Arts for Life website.
Media contacts:
Malusi Mahlulo
Tel:(020) 7451 7152
Chris Kasrils
Tel: (020) 7451 7154
Shona Cameron
Tel: (0131) 529 4452
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
13 August 2004
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