Carols under the African Sky

At 3:30 pm this afternoon we boarded the Gautrain heading for Mandela Square in Sandton City. We were celebrating the annual 'Carols under the African Sky' sponsored by Talk Radio 702.

The lineup was impressive: The Joburg Festival Orchestra led by the indomintable Richard Cox, The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, the Mzansi Youth Choir, Magdalene Minnar (Phantom of the Opera), Joseph Clark, and Idols South Africa 2012 winner Kaya Mthethwa.

It was an amazing performance.  With over 2000 people in attendance the orchestra, choirs and soloists lifted their voices in celebratory song. Mzansi had decided to 'Africanize' some of the carols so we had a rendition of Jingle Bells that went, 'Jingle bells, Jingle bells, of what fun it is to ride in a taxi in Gauteng...'  Instead of 'Deck the Halls' we had 'Deck the Stoep' and 'I'm Dreaming of an African Christmas'.

At times the music had us dancing and waving our arms in unison as in 'O Happy Day'. At other times tears rolled down our cheeks as Magdalene's rendition of 'Silent Night' mesmerized the audience into a holy moment. 'We will rock you' with Joseph had everyone on their feet. It was indeed an inspirational evening and one we won't forget for a long time.

In many ways the words to 'Jabulani Africa' captured the essence of the Christmas season and this evening filled with hope and joy! (Jabulani is a Zulu word meaning 'rejoice')

Jesus, life and hope to heal our land
Saviour reaching out with your mighty hand.
Jesus, river of life to our thirsty land
Saviour meeting our needs with your might hand.

Sing for joy O Africa,
The Lord your God is risen upon you.
Sing for joy O Africa,
The Lord is risen upon you now.
Jabulani, Jabulani Africa

By the time we left the square the lights of the Christmas Boabab were lighting the evening sky.