SA reggae concert aims to tackle xenophobia

The event, which will run under the theme Heal the Land, is aimed at providing positive change following the xenophobic attacks that occurred in South Africa this month.

Confirmed acts include Jamaican reggae artists Luciano, Lutan Fyah and Turbulence, as well as Oneil David Lawrence (US) and local acts Zionruts Family and Skank & The Roots. They will be joined by Zimbabwean musicians Don Dada and Don Franco.

“If music can change the mood and feelings of one man, then it can change the mood and feelings of a nation towards each other,” Hubbering Inc said. “Recently, South Africa was thrown into turmoil. The impact reverberated throughout the international plane. Many viewed the matters with mixed feelings. Looking on, we saw the two strong reactions from people outside of South Africa.

“There were those who were quick to distance themselves from what transpired. Then they were ones, like us, who stood even firmer in seeing the necessity and believing more in now being the right time for the Summer Mania Reggae Concert to come alive as a much-needed event for healing to take place. Little did we know that the relevance of the theme Heal the Land would be amplified during the turmoil in the land that started in the early parts of September.”

Hubbering Inc said it wanted “to stay more in the background while the artists who we encounter rise to the top."

"This show is about South Africa, though using artists from the birthplace of reggae helps us to drive the genre to the top. We are pleased to say that they have joined in this endeavour and have expressed the same heart," it said.

Tickets to the event are available here.