J Thibedi to bring Lion King to South Africa

31 July 2006

The Lion King, Broadway’s award winning best musical could be heading for
Sun City (Rustenburg, North West) towards the end of 2007 provided negotiations
which started in New York this past weekend by Jerry Thibedi, North West MEC
for Transport, Roads and Community Safety bear fruit.

The Lion King, which has a South African blend dating back to its first
recording years ago in Mafikeng, (North West capital) will be showing at
Carnival City, on the East Rand, in June 2007 and moves are underway to also
get the world-renowned cast to perform at Sun City near Rustenburg.

This bold initiative would also be fast tracked though the involvement of
the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (North West). Speaking from
New York on Monday, MEC Thibedi confirmed the move to get ‘The Lion King’ to
the province was part of a broader mandate to market the province and to
prepare and raise the profile of Rustenburg to the world, as one of the host
cities of the 2010 Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World
Cup. The 2010 event will be hosted by South Africa, of which North West is one
of her nine provinces.

Rustenburg meanwhile, is one of the fastest growing cities in the North West
province (South Africa). MEC Thibedi confirmed his meeting this past Saturday
which included Ron Kunene and one of major draw-cards in the cast, Tshidi Manye
(Rafiki) Kunene who has a string of qualifications as an educator on African
and World History, and Musicology including Afro-Centricity. He is also a
consultant on the audio book: ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, by former South African
president, Nelson Mandela.

Tshidi Manye (Rafiki) started working with her mother performing at school
and in church and has also worked with South African’s own Mbongeni Ngema and
has performed in Europe and Japan.

Some of her credits include featuring in ‘Daughters of Nebo’ by Hillary
Bletcher, Mfowethu by the former Soweto playwright Gibson Kente and also in
‘Stick’ by Aubrey Sekhabi. Manye has also worked as a freelance artist with
some of the greats including Jabu Khanyile, Hugh Masekela and Visu
Mahlasela.

She has just recorded her album, ‘Sisters of Joy’.

Issued by: Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety, North West
Provincial Government
31 July 2006
Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za)