Please note: Their previously scheduled concert on 3 January had to be cancelled due to rain and we are delighted to welcome them to the Reserve on 7 February.

Sunset concert patrons will have the privilege of experiencing the unique harmonies of the a capella Abaqondisi Brothers at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West on 7 February 2010 before they wing their way to Sweden and Norway to perform with the famed Norwegian artist, Mari Boine. This invitation follows the success of their collaboration with her during King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway’s state visit to South Africa on 25 November 2009.

The 10-12 member a capella group from Stellenbosch, under the leadership of Mongezi Hermans, marketing manager and lead singer, has a mission to spread a message of hope through hard work as a great recipe for success. Abaqondisi Brothers has managed to not only preserve a truly traditional male harmony singing style within their own community, but has enriched many national and international festivals with their powerful presence.

Abaqondisi Brothers

Since the inception of Abaqondisi Brothers (Brothers of Understanding) in 1992, the group has consistently moved the crowds with their magical voices wherever they have performed. Whilst comparisons with Ladysmith Black Mambazo are inevitable, they have forged unique harmony structures in various styles and languages that include Isicathamiya, Gospel, Traditional, IsiXhosa, English, IsiZulu, SeSotho and Afrikaans.

The group’s vast track record ranges from a performance at Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday party to singing both the South African and Italian national anthems during the Italian rugby team’s visit to South Africa. The group also featured in the 2002 film, The Piano Player, starring Christopher Lambert and Dennis Hopper as well as in Faith like Potatoes (2006).

The concert starts at 17:30 and tickets can be bought at the gate. The cost is R30 per adult and R10 for scholars. There is no admission fee for children under the age of five. The proceeds of the concerts are used to support environmental education projects at the Reserve.

Only three concerts remain in this year’s line up. The 12-member jazz band, Banned in Evolution, follows on 14 February. On 28 February the well-known Army and Caledonian Bands take to the stage before the sunset concert series wraps up the season with Black Market on 14 March.

Please call the Information Centre for more information.
For contact details refer to the Information column to the right of the page.