Zahara, Msaki, Nombasa Maqoko and the Makhanda Kwantu Choir filled up the Guy Butler Theatre at the Monument on 5 October, showcasing some of the Eastern Cape’s finest talent.

The sold-out event was organised by the National Arts Festival and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) to mark the end of a successful National Tourism Month.

Headlining the show was SAMA award-winning vocalist Zahara, who brought the house down when she performed her classic hits. Given the audiences enthusiastic reception, it’s no surprise that her 2017 album, Mgodi, went gold just six hours after its release.

Supporting Zahara were two rising stars – Msaki, an acclaimed, innovative guitarist and vocalist; and Makhanda’s Nombasa Maqoko, whose Afro soul sound seemed to channel Miriam Makeba, much to the audience’s delight.

The Makhanda Kwantu Choir, fresh from their triumphant performance at the World Choir Games in Pretoria, presented a well-received programme of music that paid tribute to some of the best women vocalists of our time.

• In celebration of another iconic Eastern Cape woman, the ECPTA and the Festival toured Warona Seane’s production of OoMaSisulu to King William’s Town, Lady Grey and Queenstown in September. This tribute production is based on Elinor Sisulu’s biography of Albertina Sisulu and featured 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Performing Art Chuma Sopotela in the lead role.

Photo: Zahara performs at the Guy Butler Theatre / Sinethemba Konzaphi