Back by popular demand, Mzansi Many Roots One Tree takes to the stage on 21 June at 7:30pm at the Artscape Theatre. Heavyweights in the music industry, Vicky Sampson, Gabi Le Roux and Nini Schlechter are following their life long dream of grooming kids in often ignored communities to become fully-skilled entertainment professionals.
Through their youth development NPC they teach these kids technical skills. The ins and outs of contracts and how to become multi-skilled across all artistic genres to become well-rounded artists. This show serves as a showcase of the skills transferred to these select young cast members. Also contributing to the financial resources required to fulfill this much-needed development initiative.
This proudly South African event, will present a rainbow cast. Hailing all the way from Langebaan, Lavender Hill, Khayelitsha, and Mitchells Plain to name a few. Who will dish up fresh original entertainment repertoire that will warm your heart and get your feet tapping.
Dance sensation Shane Bailey, age 29 was born and raised in the ghetto of Lavender Hill. This self-taught dancer has been dancing since the tender age of 6 years old and has not looked back. One of his ultimate role models is Michael Jackson. His goal is to use his skill of dance to inspire the young generations in communities and to prevent them from joining gangs and to keep them off the streets. He was part of a talent show for Emo Adams 2 years. He performed at the Mzansi One Tree Many Roots at Artscape Theatre last year and this year at the Roxy Revue Bar.
Multi-talented Karla Naude grew up in Paarl. She is a grade 10 student from La Rochelle Girls High school and has been doing music at Marinda Hunter Music School since 9 years old. Singing and Musicals is her passion and she performed on various stages in musicals like Wizard Of Oz, Shrek the Musical and Hansel and Gretel. In 2017 she received a CATA award for Junior Performance for her role as Fiona in Shrek. At the Age of 12 she won a National Singing Competition on KykNet Sing in Harmonie. She perfomred at the Emo Adams Henties Summer Festival Competition. She was part of MCI shows in Artscape Theatre in 2018 and at the Roxy Revue bar in 2019.
The award-winning savvy dance crew, Hybridt was established in 2010 in Lavender Hill. They are part of the Mass Opportunity Development programme (MOD) which is part of the Department of cultural affairs and sport. This is an after school programme at Lavender Hill High School. The kids in this programme ages range from 9 years old – 35 years old. Their dance styles include, Hip Hop, House, Kwaito, Whaacking, Vogue, Contemporary, Dance Hall, Boogeloo, B Girl, Popping and Old School. They participated in the following competitions. Power Jam 2105, Boogie Burn 2016, Funderland talent search 2017, African Hip Hop Indaba 2017 and 2018, HHI International 2017 and 2018 and more.
Free State born Hip-hop artist, Letsopa la Rucca raised in the town of Rouxville, Roleleathunya and is currently based in Cape Town, Langa. Growing up, his uncle influenced his love for music, as his uncle played music ranging from kwaito, RnB and Hip-hop. Taking a liking to kwaito, Letsopa started mimicking lyrics he heard from kwaito songs and later started writing his lyrics and discovered his ability to not only rap but to write songs as well.
Letsopa la Rucca has a edgy compact lyrical style and fuses his other tongue, Sotho and English and various slang terms from different South African languages and this gives him a unique sound. He has released two projects already, mixtape titled QalongReloaded and an EP titled Tswelopele and has been performed in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kimberly for different events. Recently he has been performing under MCI on the Mzansi Many Roots One Tree showcases in Cap Town from 2018.
11 year old star, Sydney Chanel Welgemoed’s music career started at a very early age where her parents discovered her singing to tunes on the radio in their car and she memorized all the words. They then enrolled her for music lessons at Gemini Music Academy from the age of 8. She attends Gene Louw primary school in her hood in Durbanville. The youngest female vocalist in the Mzansi Many Roots One Tree cast performed in 2018 at Artscape Theatre, at the Roxy Revue Bar early in 2019 and will be performing at the Artscape Theatre in June 2019.
Rapster, Athenkosi Breakfast aka Real Tau grew up in the Eastern Cape Port Elizabeth. In 1994 he broke out his shell after going through a compromising time in his life. He started rapping at the age of 12 years old. Born in the friendly city of Port Elizabeth where he attended primary school and high school. He grew up in musical home, his father was a gospel leader and a conductor in a church choir. His mother was a good vocalist at school and church and had a way of touching hearts through music. In 2015 he moved to a township called Masiphumelele in Fish Hoek.
Vicky shares, “The Mzansi Tree is back, it has grown, it has changed shape, but it remains a true and heartfelt vision and showcase of this country’s best that we have on offer. I am so proud to be associated with this show. Our motto is discover, develop and establish. We live by this vision and mission every day. The long term strategy of our NPC, Mzansi One Tree Development Projects is to build a holistic style academy, which will focus on all aspects of developing and establishing careers within the entertainment industry.”
Nini explains, “In uncertain times, one thing is certain, that music can transcend all barriers and limitations and that is exactly what we have achieved with Mzansi Many Roots One Tree, celebrating our collective culture in one show, one stage!”.
MCI launched their company in 2018 with the a focus on uniting diverse and colorful communities, through various genres of dance styles including hip hop, contemporary, rap, singing and more.
For more information about the organization and the rest of-of the line up please check :
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MCI-Mzansi-Cultural-Industries-2125020387779051/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/JLh2vtjbJdw
Ticket price R150 and bookings are made through Computicket.
