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South African High Commissioner to Kenya Tony Msimanga is calling on African leaders to support music in the continent.
"Music is so important in Africa. Singers like the legendary late Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black have used music to highlight the problems facing Africa to the world. Issues to do with apartheid, HIV and Aids, poverty, women and children have been championed in many nations through music," he said. Msimanga was speaking ahead of the sold-out inaugural South meets East Jazz Fete held at the National Museums of Kenya on Saturday night.
"Governments should get involved in giving the necessary support to our musicians so that they can compete on the world platform," he told MondayBlues and added: "This is the start of bigger events. Young and upcoming black artistes should be given room to nurture their talents. We would like to see more collaborations between East African and South African musicians."
The event, whose proceeds will go to hunger-stricken Kenyans through the Standard Group led MercyTrain initiative, was a great success. All tickets were sold out by Saturday evening. It was great fun as South African youthful singer Lira Malope thrilled hundreds with her hit songs Feel Good, All My Love, Change the World and Dance of Life, among other numbers. Other performances were by leading Kenyan Afro fusion artistes Valerie Kimani and Eric Wainaina.a
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