New South African singing sensation and winner of EIGHT South African Music Awards, Zahara, opens the popular OLD MUTUAL MUSIC IN THE GARDENS SERIES which kicks off at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort on the 27th of May.

It is somehow apt as the Afro-pop singer’s name means “budding flower” in Arabic and her rise to fame is something of a fairy tale.

Zahara’s debut album Loliwe sold out within 72 hours and went platinum 13 days after release. It has sold more than 800 000 copies and industry professionals now see her as the answer to the late great Miriam Makeba. Her music has been described as a mixture between styles that have been popularised by Tracy Chapman, India.Arie, Joan Armatrading and the Nigerian singer Aṣa.

Her songs – performed in English and Xhosa – are laden with hits; from the YouTube sensation Loliwe to spiritually uplifting ballads such as Destiny and Ndiza.

Zahara wants to touch people with her music: “All my songs reflect on what I believe in as a Christian. I really want my music to touch lives and inspire people,” she says.

The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens series presents live concerts every two weeks throughout the winter season at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden and is an extension of their sponsorship of the famous Kirstenbosch Music series in Cape Town.

Following Zahara, other top SA acts will also be performing this season including
Ard Matthews, Flash Republic, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Black Coffee.

The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens performance takes place in the middle of the natural beauty of the botanical gardens and audience members are encouraged to come early, bring picnic chairs and blankets and spend the day in natural splendour. There is a restaurant situated in the gardens, alcohol is on sale and there is a supervised children’s area.

For more on the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens music series go to www.oldmutual.co.za/musicinthegardens.

Tickets for all concerts are available at www.ticketbreak.co.za. R5 from every pre-sold ticket (tickets purchased on the website) is given to the Wildlands Conservation Trust for their Trees for Life initiative where community members grow trees to sustain thir livelihoods.

Ticketbreak: R80
Pre-sale at gardens: R90
On day sales at gardens and ticketbreak: R100
Children under 13 are free.

Gates open: 11h00
Opening act: 13h00
Main act: 15h00
Gates close: 18h00

Facilities available: Restaurant and Tea Garden available on site.
Alcoholic beverages are for sale at the Restaurant and Tea Garden.
Everyone is welcome to bring picnic baskets and blankets.
Kids Zone available 13h30 – 16h30