A night of jazz and theatre evokes the spirit of Sophiatown

Multi-talented artist, Lerato Mvelase, performing music from the Sophiatown era during the Jazz, Thearre and the Spirit of Sophiatown, which primiered at the Market Theatre on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

When dance icon Gregory Maqoma announced his retirement in 2023, many, including myself, felt a pang of sadness. The stage would lose his magnetic presence, his artistry that had, for years, redefined the boundaries of dance.

Yet, in one of our conversations, Maqoma revealed his deeper calling: to return to his first love, nurturing the next generation of talent. That promise was fulfilled in his latest world-class production, Jazz, Theatre and the Spirit of Sophiatown, which premiered at the Market Theatre on Tuesday, September 16. It reminded us, once again, why Maqoma remains in a league of his own.

"It’s about the memories. It’s about the movement, and it’s about the meaning."

This one-night-only production was specially curated as a prelude to the 2025 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, set to take place from 26–28 September at the Sandton Convention Centre.

From the moment guests stepped into the Market Theatre, it was as though Sophiatown itself had come alive. The streets of Kofifi, where fashion, jazz, and dance thrived in defiance of apartheid’s heavy shadow, were conjured in spirit. Guests dressed the part too: flare skirts, three-piece suits, wide-brimmed hats, and platform shoes paid homage to that golden yet turbulent era.

From the moment guests stepped into the Market Theatre, it was as though Sophiatown itself had come alive. Picture: Supplied.

What followed was a production that fused music, movement, and theatre into an immersive experience. The stage became a shebeen, not only a site of revelry but also of intellectual defiance. Striking visuals from the Drum magazine archive deepened the atmosphere, creating a layered narrative where history and performance intertwined seamlessly.

At the heart of it all was the luminous Lerato Mvelase. With her spellbinding stage presence, she led the audience through laughter, nostalgia, and reflection. Her performance was both playful and profound, igniting sing-alongs while carrying the pride and resilience of Sophiatown with effortless poise.

She was joined by the vocal trio iComplete, whose harmonies added richness to the storytelling. Meanwhile, musical director Viwe Mkizwana conducted a five-piece band that traced the arc of South African jazz, from the infectious kwela rhythms of Spokes Mashiane to the haunting protest anthem Meadowlands, composed by Strike Vilakazi and immortalised by legends such as Miriam Makeba. The music moved with precision, offering both jubilance and lament.

The Vuyani Dance Theatre ensemble poured heart and soul into every movement, their bodies speaking a language of rhythm and resistance. Picture: Supplied.

And then there was the dance. The Vuyani Dance Theatre ensemble poured heart and soul into every movement, their bodies speaking a language of rhythm and resistance. Each leap and turn embodied both joy and struggle, weaving stories that left the audience transfixed.

The production unfolded in three sweeping movements: first celebrating Sophiatown’s cultural sophistication, then sinking into the intimacy of the shebeen, and finally confronting the painful aftermath of forced removals. Yet through every step, note, and gesture, the indomitable spirit of Sophiatown glowed.

Yolisa Koza, head of brand experience at Standard Bank, reflected on the significance of the production.

“Sophiatown was a close-knit, vibrant and lively community. A place of colour, of creativity, but also of hardship and pain. Yet through it all, the music thrived,” she said.

Koza also highlighted the symbolism of staging the show at the Market Theatre, the very birthplace of the Joy of Jazz Festival, 26 years ago. What began as a modest gathering of 2,000 jazz lovers has since grown into Africa’s premier jazz festival, now boasting over 50 acts across four stages.

She praised the resilience and brilliance of South African artists, noting that jazz here is more than music: “It’s about the memories. It’s about the movement, and it’s about the meaning. It’s been shaped by our history, and each region has contributed to its distinct rhythm.”

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival returns from 26–28 September at the Sandton International Convention Centre. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.co.za.