RAISE YOUR VOICE!

RAISE YOUR VOICE is a day to celebrate our shared humanity, through the one instrument we all have....the voice. It is a fundraiser for Valanga and Andrea Khoza's annual cultural tour to South Africa, TOUR LIMPOPO. On this tour, participants sing, dance, share stories and culture from J'burg to Limpopo Province and back. Along the way, this year we will visit and contribute to Noah's Ark Children's Home (www.noahsarkchildrenshome.org.za) and Nkowa Nkowa Primary School, Valanga's township primary school. Over the 24 years of TOUR LIMPOPO, funds have been used for many initiatives including buying solar panels and inverters to combat South Africa's load shedding, contributions towards a school bus, setting up classrooms with resources, chairs and desks, building school fences and toilets, cross-cultural experiences between Indigenous Australians and South Africans....the list goes on. This year, your contributions will go towards upgrading the kitchen and kitchen facilities for Noah's Ark Children's Home, aswell as purchasing teaching and learning resources for Nkowa Nkowa Primary School. 

VOCAL WORKSHOP 11 - 1pm

The day will begin with a vocal workshop facilitated by members of AKASA and MAKEPISI. We also have a special guest joining us from Soweto, Bright Mathonsi. Bright's energetic teaching and performing is a delight to witness. Having performed and toured the world with South Africa's UMOJA, aswell as performing with many South African touring choirs, Bright brings a wealth of expertise and passion. Bright joined TOUR LIMPOPO 2023 as the vocal workshop facilitator, and will join TOUR LIMPOPO again this year to continue to spread the joy! 

Please see short clip of Bright singing with participants on TOUR LIMPOPO 2024. 

CONCERT 4 - 6pm

We will finish the day with a concert by Andrea and Valanga's community choirs, ONE WORLD VOICES Frankston & Hampton, SOUTH OF THE RIVER, AKASA and MAKEPISI, with special guest Bright Mathonsi. Workshop participants will also be invited up to share a song at the end of the concert. 

INFORMATION ABOUT WORKSHOP FACILITATORS AND PERFORMERS

MAKEPISI 
MAKEPISI is an exciting acapella line up, singing traditional and contemporary South African songs. In the style of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this group contains powerful voices hailing from different South African choirs and shows, including The Lion King. The rich, invigorating sound that is MAKEPISI is made up of Melbourne based male South African voices. You are guaranteed to be uplifted! Makepisi is Valanga Khoza, Sello Molefi, Mqondisi Shozi, Senzo Myeza, Kagiso Nzama and Sifiso Mdluli. They will also be joined by special guest, Bright Mathonsi, who is visiting from Soweto, South Africa. 

AKASA
Forming in 1998, Akasa performed, toured and recorded together for 15 years. Recently, after a 10 year break, they have been singing casually together, enjoying the sisterhood and re-activation of their musical union. Vocal harmony and dynamic percussion create the sound that is AKASA. This group perform passionate and rhythmic songs combining exceptional song-writing and musicality to create a sound that is truly distinctive. Influenced by the sounds and cultural movements from across the globe, Alaska's music is relevant and empowering. Akasa is Vicki King, Andrea Khoza, Diana Clark and Annemarie Sharry. 

SOUTH OF THE RIVER 
SOUTH OF THE RIVER is an award winning Melbourne based community choir celebrating diversity and harmony through a shared passion for singing. Under the direction of Annemarie Sharry since 2001, the choir explores the music and rhythms of Africa, traditional African American gospel and original Australian compositions. 

ONE WORLD VOICES Frankston & Hampton
One World Voices Frankston and Hampton are community choirs that meet once a week to sing, chat and have some fun. Directed by Andrea and Valanga Khoza, these are inclusive choirs that welcome anyone, of any ability. You don't need to be able to read music or sing solo, just have an open heart and mind! 

For Valanga and Andrea Khoza, sharing world music is the first step to creating harmony and cultural connections between people. Music has no boundaries and to catchy rhythm or sing a beautiful melody from a culture other than your own, Valanga and Andrea believe is both educational and unifying. 

TOUR LIMPOPO 

Valanga and Andrea Khoza have been running tours to South Africa since 2000 with various groups. Whether you are an individual wanting to connect with the history, culture or wildlife of South Africa, or a group wanting to exchange music, and build friendships, this tour will go beyond your expectations! 

Valanga Khoza is a professional musician, songwriter, author, workshop leader and storyteller. Valanga is now a citizen of Australia who still has very strong links to his homeland through family, language and music. Growing up under the apartheid regime and being forced into exile at the age of 16, he shares many personal stories as we journey the path he walked as a young boy. He gives participants a first hand insight into the South Africa of yesterday as they experience the vibrant, exciting South Africa of today. 

Melbourne born, Andrea Khoza, is a professional musician, songwriter, workshop facilitator and teacher. Together, Valanga and Andrea have been performing South African music throughout Australia and the Pacific since 1996. Andrea teams up with Valanga to give tour participants a personalised tour catering to the needs of each individual group.  

"Our 30 members had an experience that went way beyond the usual tourist route, being welcomed into townships, villages, homes and choirs. We saw below the surface, ate traditional food, sang with the true glorious voices of South Africa, and deeply touched the culture that produces the songs we love! Unforgettable in every way!" Moya Simpson, Tour Limpopo 2011

Please contact Andrea Khoza if you are interested in joining Frankston or Hampton choir or joining us on TOUR LIMPOPO 2025, or beyond.  

Andrea@khozaentertainment.com or 0423 751 943.