In 2023, the Intimate Evening Series, a collaboration between Liberty, Griza Enterprises and leading local promoter Showtime Management designed to usher in each new year with a symphony of hope, brought the soulful Gregory Porter to South Africa. In 2024, R&B star Lalah Hathaway was the solo headliner. In January 2025, the stakes are being raised, introducing a Soul Odyssey, with three top-tier acts performing in dramatically different settings.
In a one night-only celebration of Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba, Simphiwe Dana and Abiah will take to the stage at 8pm at Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg on 18 January. Then, at the beginning of February, British hitmakers Soul II Soul will thrill an audience in a very special space at Farmhouse 58 in the Kromdraai Valley near the Cradle of Humankind on 1 February commencing at 5pm before heading to Cape Town to perform for fans at the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 8 February at 7pm. Tickets for all three shows go on sale on Monday, 28 October at showtime.co.za and webtickets.co.za. Liberty, part of the Insurance and Asset Management business unit of Standard Bank is opening up ticket sales for Standard Bank and Liberty clients 48 hours ahead of the public availability.
There are few performers worldwide better suited to pay tribute to the ‘High Priestess of Soul’, Nina Simone, and the beloved ‘Mama Africa’, Miriam Makeba. Ghanian-American Jeremiah Abiah, renowned as a vocal coach and a former Associate Professor of Voice at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, worked on the Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? and released the acclaimed album Abiah Sings Nina (bringing to life a younger Nina, mesmerised by love) in 2018. He’s performed at New York’s Apollo Theatre, where Simone was responsible for some legendary performances and recordings, as well as at Carnegie Hall and other major venues around the world.
In the book, A Renegade Called Simphiwe, authored by Pumla Dineo Gcola, Simphiwe Dana has been complimented as, “the best thing to happen to Afro-Soul music since Miriam Makeba”. Like Makeba, Simphiwe’s output includes proud references to her Xhosa culture, an Afrocentric identity that extends its appeal beyond South Africa’s borders and far into the wider world and a political conscience that refuses to shy away from incisive commentary in songs such as Thwel’Ubunzima, Bantu Biko Street and Vukani. Two decades after her professional debut with the much-lauded album Zandisile, the singer continues to enjoy a high profile thanks to both her enduring compositions and the careful curation of both her musical releases and live performances. Her presence on the Teatro stage will be sure to delight both her long-time fans and lovers of Makeba’s jazz, Afro-pop and world music.
Soul II Soul is much more than a band. Starting out as a ‘sound system’ – DJs and audio engineers creating grooves and moods for parties in late-Eighties London – before releasing classic singles “Keep On Movin’” and the huge hit “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” in 1989. “Back To Life” was nominated for an American Music Award, a Brit Award and an Ivor Novello Award and won the 1990 Grammy Award for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal”. In their eclectic fusion of reggae, R&B and neo-soul, Soul II Soul offers a unique composition of conscious sound and lyrically inspiring hip hop, all laced with a reggae groove. DJ, producer and fashion entrepreneur Jazzie B is the only remaining member of the outfit’s first incarnation and was awarded an OBE for Service to Music in 2008. Soul II Soul’s slogan, “A happy face, a thumpin’ bass, for a lovin’ race”, neatly ties up the collective’s ethos, and experiencing that joie de vivre in the beautiful natural surroundings of Kromdraai or Kirstenbosch is sure to be a precious memory for all who attend.
“Continuing our highly successful partnership with Liberty, we are delighted to bring Abiah and Soul II Soul to South Africa and to welcome Simphiwe Dana on stage as part of the Liberty presents ‘An Intimate Evening’ concert series,” says Tony Feldman of Showtime Management. “The 2025 line-up brings diverse artists from across the globe in a three-way celebration that will thrill music-lovers in three intimate settings.”
“Over the past two years, we’ve had the pleasure of bringing together music lovers from all walks of life, to experience the astonishing showcases we’ve curated for their delight. It has been a remarkable journey for us as well. Each year, we look for ways to raise the bar, and this year is no exception. We’re excited to relive the musical genius of Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba through the supremely talented Abiah and Simphiwe Dana. Additionally, we’re thrilled that Soul II Soul will be performing at a new venue, adding a unique dimension to the event. As always, we’re proud to be #InItWith South Africans during this musical celebration,” says Marees Bostander, Head – Brand Strategy and Sponsorships at Liberty.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the Liberty “An Intimate Evening” concert series in January and February 2025. Tickets on sale on 28 October at showtime.co.za and webtickets.co.za.
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TOUR INFORMATION
JOHANNESBURG
Simphiwe Dana & Abiah
One Night-Only Celebration of Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba
Montecasino Teatro
Saturday, 18 January, 8pm
Ticket prices: R500, R595, R695, R795 and R995
Bookings: webtickets.co.za
Soul II Soul
Farmhouse 58, Kromdraai
Saturday, 8 February, 5pm
Ticket price: R895
Bookings webtickets.co.za
CAPE TOWN
Soul II Soul
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Saturday, 1 February, 7pm
Ticket price: R895
Bookings: webtickets.co.za
BOOKINGS: showtime.co.za and webtickets.co.za or at your nearest Pick ‘n Pay retail store.
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