SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
When: Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $50-$68 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or
The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform in Victoria for the first time in decade this weekend, with a program of music chosen to specifically address today’s socio-political climate.
HOPE: It’s Been a Long Time Coming consists of South African freedom songs which date back to 1976, when segregation against non-white citizens of South Africa led to a series of demonstrations and protests and eventual uprising led by Black school children in the township of Soweto.
“When [former South African president] Nelson Mandela was in jail, when [South African politician] Oliver Tambo was in jail, these are the songs that were sung by Black South Africans when they were fighting oppression,” said choir co-founder Shimmy Jiyane, who was born and raised in Soweto.
“These are the songs we grew up listening to.”
There will also be music in the set that is often associated with the American civil rights movement, such as Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come and Aretha Franklin’s Respect. Jiyane said the choir will feature 22 members in Victoria, ranging in age from 19 to 50. He’s in charge of the members, to a degree, as Jiyane is the choirmaster and choreographer, along with being a tenor in the group. “I do a lot of things,” he said with a laugh.
“But we never get tired. I’ll tell you why. For us, we have a mandate to fulfill: To bring a message of joy, peace and happiness. To give people hope, and put a smile on their face. We don’t get tired. We love it when we encourage people.”
He has been a member since 2002, when the Soweto Gospel Choir first formed. The group has gone on to score three Grammy Award wins, from five nominations, and has collaborated with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Queen to Celine Dion and Peter Gabriel.
Despite its visibility — the gospel group has also performed in concert for political leaders like Mandela and former U.S. President Barack Obama — Jiyane said the group must continue touring the world if it is going to lead to the fair treatment of people of colour from Soweto.
“You must remember, during the apartheid era in South Africa, music is what brought people together. Music is what actually gave people hope. We sang these songs, and we ended up getting free, getting Mandela out of jail, and hosting the 2010 World Cup. Music plays a very important role. It feeds the soul, and when it feeds the soul it goes to your bones and comes into the rhythm of your heart. When you feel something good in your spirit, you get to love that feeling. You get to engage with that feeling.
“That is what Soweto Gospel Choir is doing with our music. We make sure that people get that joy. And that they get encouraged. It brings them to life, so that they can feel good about themselves.”
