This annual music event aids the Foundation created in memory of alumna Ruth First and currently sponsors 56 girls at Jeppe High School for Girls, who celebrate their 100th year.
Anti-apartheid activist and journalist First, was married to South African Communist party stalwart Joe Slovo, whose Trust was established in 2010 in her honour. She was killed in a letter bomb explosion in 1982.
Ruth matriculated from Jeppe High School for Girls in 1941. She had three children, Shawn, Gillian and Robyn.
Under the masterful baton of the award-winning maestro Richard Cock this year’s line-up features World Choir Games gold medallists Jeppe Girls’ Choir and Highland Cathedral, with a programme so diverse it takes audiences from Grieg’s famous Piano Concerto in A minor performed by Jeppe High School for Girls’ head of music Elize Kruger to a My Fair Lady medley of hits and the Can Can choreographed by Loryn Lewis.
This year’s Fiesta sees the premiere of South African composer Franco Prinsloo’s commissioned work Cantate for female voices which specially celebrates the Jeppe High School for Girls’ Centenary.
Pianist Elize Kruger will take to the stage with violinist and Jeppe High School for Girls’ strings specialist Mia Björkman–Sun and soloists Dominique Deysel and SAMA-nominated Timothy Moloi who returns to this special event.
There will also be performances by the Jeppe Pipe Band, South Africa’s oldest school pipe band, so will be Master-in-Charge Damien Pitman.
Specialist vocal coach and choir master Johan Bester conducts the Jeppe Girls’ Choir and Andrew Parfitt will bring out the best of Jeppe Girls’ Orchestra. Jeppe Hlabelela and Marimba ensembles are also lined-up to add their captivating sounds to the evening.
All performances will be accompanied by the much-loved Johannesburg Festival Orchestra who tirelessly work to Anti-apartheid activist and journalist First, was married to South African Communist party stalwart Joe Slovo, whose Trust was established in 2010 in her honour. She was killed in a letter bomb explosion in 1982.
Anti-apartheid activist and journalist First, was married to South African Communist party stalwart Joe Slovo, whose Trust was established in 2010 in her honour. She was killed in a letter bomb explosion in 1982.
Ruth matriculated from Jeppe High School for Girls in 1941. She had three children, Shawn, Gillian and Robyn.
Tickets for the concert start from R230 to R290 from Computicket.
Discounted block bookings are available for 10 or more.
For further information contact 011 616 5090 (mornings only) or email ruthfirstevents@jeppegirls.co.za
The one show begins from 19:30 on Friday –August 30 at Wits Linder Auditorium.
Image (Ruth First in company of husband Joe Slovo. The Ruth First Jeppe Memorial Trust will host its annual Ruth First Jeppe Fiesta at Wits University’s Linder Auditorium on August 30).
