FOR a long time, musicians living with disabilities felt discriminated against and isolated because of their disabilities.
Mzansi’s top musicians have changed this and given them hope by sharing the stage with them during the We Can Arts Festival.
The festival, aimed at fostering the inclusion and promotion of artists living with disabilities in mainstream music, was held at Durban Playhouse on Saturday night, 22 October.
It was a night of hope when top singers performed the same songs with musicians with disabilities.
Legendary maskandi singer Phuzekhemisi performed with the blind Chaos Machafuko, and Thee Legacy performed with the legendary Babsy Mlangeni.
Ernie Smith performed with Khazozo who is blind, and Nqubeko Mbatha performed with Sgwili Zuma, who is living with albinism.
Big Zulu shared the stage with Pinky 1st Lady, who is using a wheelchair.
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Festival director Thabani Mazibuko told SunBuzz: that this was done through removing limitations within the sector that make it difficult for them to showcase their talents before national and commercial markets.by placing them in a system that does not promote their artistic talents.
“The project was started in 2015 with the support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“It was initiated after realising that there were few platforms where artists living with disabilities can express themselves.”
“This platform has then provided tangible solutions in providing verifiable and sustainable artistic jobs and a national commercial artistic platform for artists with disabilities.
Phuzekhemisi said : that he was honored to perform with Chaos, who is blind at the festival that promotes artists living with disabilities.“I performed my hit song, Imbizo, because I know Chaos loves it.”
“It was a great pleasure to share the stage with artists with disabilities because they are also talented and qualified artists.
Chaos said: legendary maskandi musician as he was inspired by his music to sing maskandi.“What makes me happier is because me and legendaryPhuzekhemisi come from the same village.” across Umkhomazi river,” and we called ourselves Amabhenanyawo”he said.
Khazozo said he was honoured to share the stage with the legendary jazz musician, Ernie.
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Ernie, who sang the song titled KwaZulu, in turn said: it was an honour to perform with Khazozo., said it was an honor to perform and shared the stage with musicians with disabilities.“It was easy to do the song with Khazozo and there was no struggle.”
“My message to them is that we are not born to survive but we are born to recover” he said.
Sgwili loved performing with Nqubeko at the festival. Mbatha and he was honored that he finally performed with him during the festival.
