RENOWNED guitarist, composer, and author Billy Monama is bringing back the Mayibuye iAfrika concert for its third edition.
Set to take place on 28 and 29 June at the Joburg Theatre, the show is more than just a musical experience.
It's a celebration of resilience, heritage, and the power of music to inspire change.
The theme of the concert is The Rebirth of Ubuntu. The 2025 edition coincides with Youth Month, making it a fitting tribute to young people's struggles and triumphs.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, Billy digs deep into the concert's meaning.
"This year, we're celebrating the memory and honouring the youth. Young people have played a huge role in shaping Mzansi. All their contributions matter, from 1976 to Fees Must Fall," he said.
This year's show will feature a powerful 20-piece orchestra conducted by Grammy-winning producer Joe Arthur, along with performances from legends such as Soul Brothers and Judith Sephuma, as well as new voices like Berita and Maleh.
"We are very particular about who we choose. These are artists whose songs speak to the soul," Billy said.
"Someone like Miriam Makeba brought global awareness to South Africa's injustices through music, not politics. That's the power of song."
The concert will include tributes to musical giants such as Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuka, with each act looking back at the past while offering a new soundtrack for the future.
"These are not just covers. These are performances that carry the memory of African people," he said.
Music with purpose
Billy's mission comes from his belief that music must serve a deeper purpose.
"When I was growing up, most of what we heard was European and American music. If we don't preserve our own, it'll disappear," he said.
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"That's why I've worked closely with legends like Caiphus Semenya and Sipho Mabuse. They always said, 'Be a musician with a purpose'."
He described Mayibuye iAfrika as a movement, not a political statement.
"This has nothing to do with politics. It's about culture and unity. Ubuntu is not a slogan for politicians, it's something we must live," he said.
Looking back, facing today
The first part of the concert will show iconic moments such as the Soweto Uprising.
The second part will tackle today's youth struggles.
"Yes, we have democracy now, but young people are still facing challenges. We're not hearing churches or government talk about it. But artists can. Music can," said Billy.
He believes that even today, songs can shake the system.
"Just look at how Julius Malema's controversial lyrics got everyone's attention. That's the power of music. That's why we're doing this," he said.
In the end, Mayibuye iAfrika is about honouring the past, celebrating the present, and awakening a spirit of hope for the future.
"You go home, and you learn something, that's the point," he said.
