An unassuming Uitenhage family, is bringing Nelson Mandela Bay into the international entertainment spotlight.
Andrea Wessels and her children Rukshane and Rukaard have contracted global music icons with no less than 9 Grammy’s, 3 SAMA’s and multiple other awards between them to perform in an exclusive live concert at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 2.
The MBay Megafest will feature Ludacris, Ne Yo, Protoje, Shaggy and a host of national stars in an action packed full day concert, the biggest of its kind in the Eastern Cape ever.
Also featuring Mi Casa, Bucie, Eltonnick & NAAK, as well as Port Elizabeth acts Gino Lee and Shoelace and the country’s leading DJs, it is expected that every available ticket will be snapped up for the megafest, which may be the hottest concert in Africa this year. 38 000 tickets, which includes fixed seating and standing room on the pitch are available from Computicket from R150-R550.
Now rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the industry, Rukshane, co-director, with her mother Andrea and colleague to her brother Rukaard in their newly formed company Zeranza SA, says the concert and their newly founded family business is a dream come true.
“Never in my entire life did I ever imagine this. A girl from Buffalo City flats in East London, interacting with the likes of Neyo, Shaggy and Ludacris,” she says modestly.
The Wessels were born in East London and since Rukshane and Rukaard’s father passed away, relocated to Jansendal – “It’s a quiet area in Uitenhage,” she says.
Rukshane and Rukaard attended St Johns primary in East London and went to high school at Riebeek and Muir College, respectively.
The Wessels say Zeranza‘s first major concert, has not come without its challenges: “We had to assure some of the international artists that South Africa was in fact an advanced country – with video evidence and some persuasion, Rukshane chuckles.
Rukshane says obstacles had also been created locally, “by small factions that feel threatened by others vision”. “Instead of supporting this event by buying tickets and showing the world that Nelson Mandela Bay is indeed worthy of inclusion on the international concert tour, some have chosen to remain cynical.”
“Zeranza is all about a vision to grow business and the economic outlook of the region about which we are wildly passionate. The Mbay megafest is an excellent platform to achieve this and generate incomes for the Metro and we trust that the region’s fans will support with their feet through the turnstiles come Saturday June 2.”
Alan Straton
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