A service of thanksgiving in celebration of South Africa’s 30 years of democracy was held this week at London’s iconic Westminster Abbey and included a performance by the much-lauded South African tenor.
Masuku performed Todd Matshikiza’s Uxolo (Peace), composed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Johannesburg; David Motsamai, written by Mohau Mogale as a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and the much loved traditional gold miner’s song Shosholoza.
The 34-year-old tenor is from eMkhondo (formerly Piet Retief), the small Mpumalanga town that also birthed celebrated soprano Pretty Yende.
In 2019, Masuku was given the opportunity to join the prestigious English National Opera in London. He has since obtained his master's degree in opera at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama through a scholarship from the institution and Oppenheimer Memorial Trust.
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The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle and the address was given by Lord Boateng, a former British High Commissioner to South Africa.
Reflections were given by Christina McAnea, 4th General Secretary of UNISON; and by the Honourable Ronald Lamola MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, representing the government of South Africa.
Mr Bassim Haidar, Honorary Consul of South Africa to the United Kingdom, on behalf of all Honorary Consuls, affirmed the call to unity given by President Nelson Mandela.
The prestigious guest list included former Gqeberha Collegiate High School pupil, Donna Maria Cullen, an Executive Director at Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club.
Pictured below: Donna Maria Cullen at Westminster Abbey ahead of the service
The football-loving ex-Port Elizabethan recently jetted into the city from London on a whistlestop visit to attend the Collegiate 150th celebrations.
