“Ooh! This is the Greatest Show!”

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) Department of Creative Arts and the UNIZULU choir launched its remarkable jam session, on Thursday the 16^th of February. This collaboration presented a showstopper of its 1^st Musical concert there was a thrill of excitement in the air.

The Department of Creative Arts head of the department, Professor Zoliswa Twana the opened and welcomed the audience in the Blackbox theatre. She thanked the audience for coming to witness the first concert of the year.

This Musical concert opened with a stunning performance which mixed both music and choreography. There was an array of performances that took place in this concert, it blessed the audience and mesmerized different types of musical talent.

Dr Bhekani “Mbhexeshi” Buthelezi a departmental music lecturer and head of UNIZULU Choir, stated that the Department of Creative Arts gives students practical and theorical skills to be ready for the creative industry. The collaboration between the musical gurus from the department of Creative arts and UNIZULU Choir was the best experience since he felt and saw a need of exposing these talents to the masses .

Dr Buthelezi also stated that it is necessary for the students from the Department of Creative Arts or UNIZULU Choir to have experience in being a solo performer since some of these performers are willing to start their solo professions.

Tracy Zuma, a final year student at the Department of Creative arts, summed up her experience of sharing stage with the UNIZULU choir, she learnt a lot from these talented growing musicians. She offered more of the choreography in this concert. “I thank the opportunity granted to me by the concert coordinator, I have experienced, grew, and learnt a lot. I enjoyed music even more which made me realize that it heals people and combined with dance it made me realize I love my entire career of being an artist.”

Sandile Khumalo a talented tuner part vocalist from UNIZULU Choir performed various songs in this concert. He stated that the show was a huge success, he is grateful that they were able to work together with the departmental students from the beginning and also got to learn about the behind the scenes of setting up for a performance in stage and the experience with the audience.

Professor Twani gave a vote of thanks; she was filled with joy about the turn out of the marvelous concert. She thanked the audience for being the first audience in the year 2023. “I have a good feeling about this year, great things are going to come out this box. I wish students all the best for the year, and may your talents be unpacked, take responsibility to develop and nurture them,” she said.

Dr Buthelezi expressed his pleasure, “Ooh! This is the greatest show! This show is going to soar , from our opening today, we are going to be performing in different restaurants around Empangeni, Mtunzini and Richards Bay.” Dr Buthelezi alluded.

– Sinenhlanhla Ngcongo and Mbuyiselo B. Mlaba