Dr Roland Moses, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Performing Arts (Music), Faculty of Arts and Design, and a celebrated performing artist, supported by his Paths of Light quartet, will perform a special concert at Unisa鈥檚 Miriam Makeba Hall on Sunday, 24 August at 16:00. This concert features original compositions and arrangements that embody global artivism 鈥� the creative fusion of art and activism 鈥� using music as a catalyst for awareness, dialogue and positive change.
Asked about what audiences can expect, Dr Moses says the works The River of Life and The Blue Grotto, Night Skies celebrate the elemental forces of water and the clarity of unpolluted skies. 鈥淭hese works remind us of the planet鈥檚 delicate balance and call for united, cross-border efforts to protect our shared environment.鈥�
鈥淥de to Mankind and While She Sleeps address Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Through moving themes and emotive harmonies, they stand as both a memorial to victims and a rallying cry for a global commitment to justice and safety for all,鈥� Dr Moses adds.
The concert will also feature B-L-U-E-S (Believe, Lead, Uplift, Encourage, Support), a work that transforms the blues tradition into a message of solidarity, urging collective responsibility in shaping a more compassionate world and highlighting the importance of nurturing mental wellness as part of building resilient communities.
Monk鈥檚 Blues bridges jazz tradition with contemporary social consciousness, channelling the spirit of iconic jazz pianist Thelonious Monk鈥檚 bold individuality to inspire creative freedom, challenge convention and advocate for the power of artistic expression in shaping social change.
Mandela Sanctuary pays tribute to Nelson Mandela鈥檚 legacy of reconciliation and unity, inviting listeners to reflect on the power of forgiveness and the necessity of building bridges across divides.
Funky Stomp brings an infectious energy that celebrates diversity and cultural exchange. Its rhythmic drive symbolises the joy and vitality that emerge when communities come together, transcending borders through shared creativity.
鈥淓ach composition is an act of dialogue 鈥� between cultures, causes, hope and reality 鈥� inviting audiences not only to listen, but to act. Each work is a bridge between awareness and action, inspiring audiences to engage with the urgent challenges of our shared world,鈥� says Dr Moses.
The concert, which will be performed in collaboration with the Unisa Music Foundation, will feature special guest Vivek Parshotam (Tabla). Parshotam is a multitalented percussionist who has performed with many revered Indian and Western musicians, currently studying with Pandita Anuradha Pal, a disciple of Zakir Hussain. A highlight of his career was performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London and with the national orchestras.
In addition to Dr Moses (piano), the quartet consists of Peter Sklair (Bass), Rob Watson (Drums) and Abraham Mennen (Saxophone).
For more information, please refer to the poster.
