Todd Matshikiza

The annals of South Africa’s musical theater was inaugurated when the musical, An African Jazz Opera – King Kong, predicated on the tragic life of Black African boxer Ezekiel “King Kong” Dlamani, was premiered at the fantastic Hall of Witwatersrand University on February 2, 1959. Offering the music of Todd Matshikiza as well as the lyrics of Pat Williams, the musical was a remarkable achievement. With the associates from the Manhattan Brothers and Miriam Makeba starring in the lead jobs, the display toured for two-and-a-half years, including a nine-month operate in London. Ruler Kong was eventually revived in 1979 and 1999. A lot of the musical’s achievement was because of the power of Matshikiza’s compositions. The rating reflected an individual statement. Being a previous journalist for the dark mag Drum and information editor for The Golden Town Post, Matshikiza acquired protected Dlamani’s trial for treason in the middle-’50s. His music included his experiences through the trial and his sights of apartheid. Based on the Daily Email & Guardian, “Matshikiza recognized his central personality, and, moreover, understood depends upon that encircled ‘Ruler Kong’. He recognized the whole dark world from the townships that given Johannesburg as well as the histories from the people who packed those townships.”