Mbaqanga music legends Mahotella Queens and Big Zulu will be ambassadors of 18th edition of the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition.
The artists were announced yesterday afternoon as ambassadors of the event which is taking place from December 8 to 11 at Joburg Theatre. Chairperson of Moshito, Stanley Khoza, said as ambassadors, the artists will be celebrated for promoting South African indigenous languages through their music locally and internationally. They will appear in a number of planned Moshito activities as ambassadors and will also perform.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, lead singer of Mahotella Queens, Hilda Tloubatla said being chosen as ambassadors came as a surprise.
“Being named ambassadors of such a big event is a big thing for us and we are really honoured. It makes me proud to be a South African artist and this means a lot to us. As a group, we are where we are because of the love and support that we get from South Africa. There is nothing that makes you proud than being acknowledged at home where everything started,” Tloubatla said.
Big Zulu said in a video: “I am grateful for the opportunity to be an ambassador of Moshito alongside the legends Mahotella Queens. These are the people who have shown us that you can earn a living out of music and it can take you to world stages. Their hard work has encouraged us as young artists to take this serious.”
Khoza added: “Our selection of this year’s ambassadors and the theme itself is always inspired by our past as a nation and our present as an industry. Mahotella Queens and Big Zulu are a perfect embodiment of the Moshito vision. We believe in celebrating greatness as part of our culture and that’s all that drives us as a music conference, to select the best deserving talent ever.
“This year Moshito will welcome a variety of speakers ranging from artists, professionals to some of the industry’s greatest executives. We are celebrating, not only our growth as Africa’s premier music market, but a great 18 years of history and contribution to our creative industry’s growth.”
-Sowetan
