There was a wonderful variety of acts for the Festival - opera, ballet, jazz, pop and circus - with most acts running for two to three nights. I was fortunate enough to go to three acts, these being the Miriam Makeba Homage, Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. For me the Miriam Makeba Homage was the most memorable. It was a perfectly still night, although the seals were quite noisy; they seemed particularly appreciative of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the five piece rhythm section. Sibongile Khumalo, who was a close friend of Miriam Makeba, was the perfect person to sing the songs that made Makeba famous. Her voice soared through the harbour and her warmth and skill were entrancing. Nomfundi Xavula also sang some of the songs and although lacking Khumalo's assurance and ease on the stage, brought a lovely energy to the songs that she performed.
Johnny Clegg performed a tight, high-energy act with his 7-piece band and even though he has been performing for so many years, still brings a freshness to his performance that is remarkable. My least favourite act was Ladysmith Black Mabazo - simply because there is a sameness about all their songs. They sing their wonderful harmonies and they dance their routines with jaw-dropping flexibility and balance, but it is difficult to really distinguish one number from the next.
I hope that the AquaFestival continues in years to come. You can't beat sitting on the North Wharf on a balmy evening, watching a stately yacht coming in to dock, seeing the light of the cable-station and the face of Table Mountain, while listening to some of the best music. I felt so proud to be South African and so fortunate to be a Capetonian!
