Ami Faku to headline SA State Theatre Women’s Month event

The outdoor event seeks to commemorate the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 to make a stand against the country’s apartheid pass laws.

It will run under the theme, The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women’s Rights and feature local artists including Ncamisa Nqana, Amogelang Ralebepa, Dudu Makhoba, Gina Mabasa, ManaKomba and Rivoningo ‘Bonnie’ Nkuna.

“We recognise these heroines who exhibited the power and strength that women possess when they unite,” SAST event coordinator Nompumelelo Skhosana told Music In Africa. “The event will also put a spotlight on challenges, such as gender-based violence and unemployment, that women still face, as well as celebrate the success of women in all spheres of life. As a theatre, we are committed to creating access and opportunities to women artists and contribute to the building of a non-sexist and non-violent South Africa.”

Apart from music, the SAST will feature an exhibition by Lindiwe Hlatswayo titled Women for the Unification of Africa, which is open to the public for free viewing until 29 August.

“The visual art installation is inspired by strong, bold, resilient, empowering and authentic black women who are occupying spaces that they were previously denied access to,” the theatre said. “Making use of beadwork as a medium, Hlatswayo depicts women as the water, air, and fire of the African revolution taking place among Africans and the diaspora.”

Ami Faku shot to fame through The Voice SA in 2017. She has won various accolades, including the Female Artist of the Year Award at the South African Music Awards with her debut album Imali. Her music and many collaborations have gone gold and platinum in South Africa. She is one of the most streamed South African artists on services like Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.

Tickets to SAST’s Women’s Month event are available at the SAST box office, Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores.