Vusi Mahlasela live in Plettenberg Bay

Vusi Mahlasela, a South African national treasure, is excited to be bringing his heart, energy and music to the White house theatre in Plettenberg bay for the very first time.

In this stripped-down and intimate acoustic performance, Vusi and his protégé Tsholofelo Papa will be performing Vusi’s characteristic and authentic South African hits, share stories from Vusi’s music travels across the globe and entertain fans with his distinctly and proudly South African sound.

Simply known as ‘The Voice’ in his home-country, South Africa is celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics. His songs of hope and reconciliation connect Apartheid-scarred South Africa with its promise for a better future.

Vusi has released nine beloved albums over the last two decades.; his latest release is “Shebeen Queen” (ATO Records), is a celebration of the vibrant musical culture of his hometown, first encountered at his grandmother’s shebeen. In light of his international and national acclaim, the SAMA Awards (South African Music Awards) honoured Vusi with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Vusi was proud to have been an ambassador to Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign (an awareness effort surrounding the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa). Vusi holds an honorary doctorate degree from the prestigious Rhodes University in Grahamstown, SA. This fall, Vusi received a second honorary doctorate degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. South African President Ramaphosa recently recognized Vusi cultural contributions with a national “Ubuntu and Culture” award. Additionally, South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma awarded Vusi with the National Order of Ikhamanga, recognizing him for “drawing attention to the injustices that isolated South Africa from the global community during the Apartheid years.”

As Nobel-Laureate, celebrated author and longtime champion of Vusi’s Nadine Gordimer, once put it best, “Vusi sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive. He is a national treasure.”