Durban is the place to be in for a special treat with a one-off concert by renowned Réunionnaise musician Danyel Waro and his group. Promising an ultra-memorable showcase the performance will include a collaboration with popular hip-hop star Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume).

Last seen in Durban during Poetry Africa in 2007 Waro is the best known singer of maloya music, a compound rhythm which historically expresses the joys and sorrows of plantation workers in Reunion. The group use entrancing traditional instruments such as the kayanm, a flay instrument made from cane flower stems and filled with saffron seeds; the bob, a musical bow which is attached to a calabash for resonance (much like the South African umakhweyana bow), and the rouler – a big drum made from barrels with a cowskin head. A proud affirmation of the struggles of the island people, Waro sings predominantly in Creole with deep political conviction about the effects of the post colonial and globalized world on this Indian Ocean island, envisioning a future with hope and resilience.

Tumi Molekane is no stranger to poetry and music lovers, having first risen to prominence in 2000 after performing with Dead Prez. Tumi is a poet, writer and MC who addresses the daily challenges of post apartheid youth with a consciousness rare amongst hip-hop artists. Not limited to hip-hop however, Tumi has performed with an array of artists including Blk Sonshine, Keorapetse Willie Kgositsile, Max Normal, Lesego Rampolokeng, Saul Williams, Sarah Jones and Mutaburuka, and his concept band, Tumi and the Volume has played on various international stages. His intriguing collaboration with Danyel Waro will certainly shake up a few preconceptions about cross-cultural pollination.

This event is part of a season of cultural and trade exchange between South Africa and Reunion. This exchange will also include a meeting, open to all interested parties, to explore cultural partnerships between the Reunion city of Le Port and sister port city Durban – the meeting takes place at the Centre for Creative Arts on 7^th May at 2pm. Look out for a broad programme of activities by b-boys outfit Soul City from le Port, culminating with their participation in the BAT Centre Throwdown at noon on Saturday 9^th May.

The Danyel Waro and Tumi show on 9^th May kicks off at 9pm at the BAT, with local group FouZulu also appearing. Tickets are R50 and are available at the venue 2 hours before the performance.

The programme is presented by the Embassy of France, the French Institute of South Africa, Region Reunion in association with Ethekwini Municipality, Centre for Creative Arts and BAT Centre. For more information, contact the Centre for Creative Arts by email cca@ukzn.ac.za.