It was a bitter-sweet occasion but CSA’s events division was proud to have created, produced and directd the stage Tribute to Archbishop Tutu for the City of Cape Town, held at the City Hall, in late December.

The Tribute included performances by the SA Youth Choir, the Gugulethu Tenors, singers Zolani Mahola, Fancy Galada and Vicky Sampson, troubadour Ard Matthews and a special appearance by Jonathan Butler who had flown in from Los Angeles to perform.

A veritable SA Songbook included some of the Arch’s favorite tunes including the Miriam Makeba classic, “Lakushon Ilanga” (sung by Zolani Mahola), “My African Dream” (Vicky Sampson and the SA Youth Choir), “What He Means” (Ard Matthews), the 80s struggle anthem “Paradise Road” (Zolani and Fancy Galada) and “7th Avenue” (Jonathan Butler), amongst others.

The Tribute also included Inter Faith prayers and speeches from Cape Town Mayor Geordian Hill-Lewis, Western Cape premier Alan Winde and elder Cheryl Carolus, while a specially produced AV spoke to the Arch’s extraordinary legacy – from struggle veteran to man of the cloth, Nobel Prize-winning activist and family man.

“While the intention was to honour the Arch and celebrate his times, we wanted to do it in a way which his life will be remembered by the way lived it – with joy, love and meaning. A giant may have fallen but his legacy lives on,” said producer/director Marc Le Chat.

Music director Darren English (also on trumpet) and pianist Alan Cameron assembled a group of some of Cape Town’s finest musicians including Ivan Bell (drums), Wesley Rustin (double bass), Sosinke Xonti (sax), Trevino Isaacs (keyboards) as the Desmond Tutu Tribute Band along with Don Veno (sax).

ZA Fanzone handled logistics while Di Rosen directed the multi-cam broadcast to the public on the Grand Parade and streamed online.