Ashley Raphala, aka ‘Shimza’ will become the first artist to live stream from Robben Island in an historic event on Mandela Day [July 18]. Shimza, and his foundation SHIMUZIC along with the Siya Kolisi Foundation have partnered in a drive to raise funds for those negatively affected by COVID-19 as well as Robben Island itself.
This unique performance is set to be a moving and deep sonic journey against an emblematic backdrop and can be viewed via MTV Base South Africa on July 18 from 4pm to 6pm.
Shimza has become an essential figure across the global dance music world, renowned for his slick productions and infectious Afro Tech sound. A dedicated philanthropist, he has been hosting his One Man Show events for over a decade, raising funds for underprivileged children and causes close to his heart in South Africa. The historic livestream performance on Robben Island is the latest evolution of this.
Centering much of his career around humanitarian initiatives, the young artist aims to change the way that South Africa’s youth consume information, by encouraging them to learn through the medium of music.
“It’s up to all of us in South Africa to shape how our history is being told,” Shimza commented. “We need to tell our story using our gifts. Those that we can freely demonstrate and live off now, because of the struggles of people like the great Nelson Mandela,” he added.
Hosting a DJ set on the historic Robben Island, where such hardship was endured, serves as a stark reminder of how far the country has come since the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, while also proving there is still much to be achieved on a global scale. Shimza believes that this fusion of music and culture is the best way to engage and educate people in topics of South Africa’s rich heritage, while bringing social cohesion during this time of uncertainty.
According to Shimza, his show on Robben Island is also his way of not admitting defeat to the global COVID pandemic. “It makes sense for me to do something like this on Robben Island for Mandela Day to raise money for people in Cape Town who have been affected by the coronavirus. It’s my way of saying that we’re not being held ransom by this pandemic,” he said.
“To not do something, would be admitting defeat you know,” he said. “I think doing something like this – and being able to use my influence – means I can give hope to other people which right now feels like the right thing to do.”
Shimza’s One Man Show started very small (with less than 300 in the audience) and has grown to drawing crowds of over 10 000. It has historically all been about giving back to the community: “In December we do the Christmas party for orphans, in January we donate school uniforms and then the June one – which was supposed to be this past weekend – I host a free workshop for young artists that don’t have any information about the music industry.”
“I try as much as I can to do back every time I do my One Man Show,” he said.
On a personal level, the lockdown measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic has also affected Shimza. “Right now I would have been in Europe trying to crack that market,” he said. “The strategy was always to dominate globally and that is what we were working on before COVID-19. After this we will go back to that plan and to produce more music, while looking to see where we can grow the One Man Show brand. But for now we need to stay home and stay safe and try to use our influence for good here. I cannot wait for the Robben Island show,” he concluded.
“Song, dance and music contributed tremendously to South Africa’s struggle and political history as it was used as a tool on global stages to fight against the apartheid regime by the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Johnny Clegg. Whilst imprisoned, Madiba, along with other Ex-Political Prisoners, used music as a form of healing, protest, meditation and entertainment in the morbid cold corridors of prison. This day will go down in history as one of the days that we celebrated social memory uniquely. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Mandela Day this year than through music brought to you by a proud young South African DJ,” said Morongoa Ramaboa, Robben Island Museum spokesperson.
Picture: Supplied
