Guest Post by: Edward Kimen Nemutamvuni
Burning Spear added another South African date, in Limpopo Region on his One People Africa Tour
In 2016 when it was announced that Burning Spear had retired and would not be touring again, I had to accept that I will never ever see Mr. Winston Rodney perform live. I had missed his historic live performance in South Africa in 2000 on the Home To My Roots Tour which had Culture billed on the same Tour. I was young then and could not even afford to travel to Johannesburg to watch the show. A few years later, in 2022 Burning Spear announced that he will resume touring again. He did shows in Europe and America, and never imagined that I would ever see the African Teacher live. I was resigned to the fact that this is one icon that I will never experience his live performance in my lifetime, which, at this point, I have seen some of his performances on YouTube, but it was still a far-fetched idea.
Then, out of the blue, Mr. Rodney Spear announced that he will be brining the One People Tour to Africa and South Africa was the first pronounced and confirmed date. It was hard to believe. Even after he posted a video confirming the news, I was still in disbelieve, yet I started making plans to attend the Johannesburg Show. Not only will he be performing live in South Africa, but will be supported by my other favourite Reggae icon, Dr. Colbert Mukwevho and other local artists. That was a perfect set up for me, and I knew that travelling from my hometown in Limpopo to Johannesburg for this historical show was worth it. The show at Emperor’s Place in Johannesburg on the 19th of September 2024 was epic and will forever be etched in our hearts, and we will keep talking about it for years to come. I was excited, I was overjoyed to have had this experience. I was satisfied that I had seen my Legend perform live.
He then continued with the One People Africa Tour which saw him go to Zambia, followed by Malawi and the next and final date would be Kenya. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I heard the announcement that he will be performing in my region, the Limpopo. On October 31, 2024 Burning Spear and the Burning Band Performed Live at Makhuvha Stadium in Venda. The concert was organised to honour Dr. Colbert Mukwevho who hails from Limpopo and has pioneered reggae music in this far Northern region of South Africa.
It was quite a fitting occasion and decision to honour Dr. Colbert, a well respected personality in the Reggae scene in South Africa, a man who has done so much to uplift Reggae and the Limpopo region. Dr. Mukwevho enjoys that same legendary status at home, that Burning Spear enjoys globally. Both have made a huge contribution to Reggae and are still active and keeping on. I knew I had to attend this show, even though I had witnessed the great performance in Johannesburg. This one was special, very special.
Special because this would be the first time that an international Reggae artist of this calibre touch down in Limpopo, home of Roots Reggae with so many talented artists and Reggae bands. It would be the first time that a date in Limpopo was added to the itinerary of any given Reggae band, local or international. So having the Living Legend make a stop in Limpopo was extra special. I was over the moon. For me, this was a lifetime achievement, to finally experience and watch Winston Rodney performing live. No Jamaican Reggae music artist has ever visited the far North. I, myself, as a person born and raised in the area, I can tell you that we feel so blessed to have had the African Teacher on our soil, and thank him for this special occasion. Reggae Music is full of good messages and myself as a fan o Reggae, I promote oneness, peace love and harmony. Big Up, Jah Rastafari. Selassie I.
