‘Ah Dosini!’ Maestro hits the right notes ahead of UCT Day

“Ah Dosini!” exclaimed one member of the packed Baxter Theatre Hall on 3 October as renowned African musician and professor of African Music at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Dizu Plaatjies took to the stage one final time on campus with a benefit concert in support of UCT Day.

Dosini is Professor Plaatjies’ clan name, so the affectionate shoutout from the audience was a nod to an evening going according to plan. Together with UCT’s Ibuyambo Orchestra – which means African Renaissance – they drummed, sang, twirled, hopped and entertained as an energised hall clapped, chanted along, ululated and gave a stirring standing ovation at the conclusion of the two-hour show.

With a body of work spanning over three decades, Plaatjies will retire from his official teaching duties and UCT, but the music will play on.

The benefit concert, directed by Mhlanguli George, included no less than 12 performances and was attended by Plaatjies’ industry colleagues like Zwai Bala of The Bala Brothers; and Mandisi Dyantyis who graduated from UCT earlier this year.

“I’ve been doing this for 36 years,” Plaatjies said in a brief conversation with the audience during his performance … wherever my ancestors are, I’m sure they are happy. It’s nice to see you all here, singing and chanting,” he said.

His performance was in a bid to raise funds for the UCT Unlocking Futures Bursary Fund.

Culturally rich

Speaking after his performance, Plaatjies joked: “The vice-chancellor was saying ‘You can’t tell me you are retiring because what about this group of people you have carried with you? These shows need to be seen across the country and globe’, and it’s true because traditional African music and the art of musical bow-making [are not things] you often get in universities in this country, and I can say this because I’ve travelled and observed for myself.

“I reflect on 36 years of music, taking stock of the artists that I have mentored, including the likes of Judith Sephuma and Jimmy Dludlu and many more, [and] my message is simple: I like to share my lived experience with people because if I don’t do it, who will? And I am not stopping here because there are communities that still look to me to offer this music and training for them and that’s what I will be doing.

“I’m a person who will continue to share my experience with everyone as I’ve been doing. All of this is because of the University of Cape Town.”

He added: “I’m not leaving and disappearing into oblivion; whenever I’m called upon, I will avail myself because I’ve been impressed with the dedication the group has shown. I’m sad to be breaking our bond. The point of the benefit concert was to showcase the elevation of UCT and just how culturally rich it has become.”