Open Arms of Minnesota

Siyaya - South African Singers & Dancers

Listen to Wena, a song by Ongx, who will be performing at their appearances.

The images below are from Siyaya's second visit to Minneapolis. This will be their third concert tour in Minneapolis. (Scroll down to read more about this entertaining and inspirational group from South Africa.)

Some background about Siyaya:

South African townships are overflowing with talented young people - singers, dancers and musicians. Poverty, the lack of opportunities and HIV/AIDS often results in all of this talent going undiscovered. Rev. Spiwo Xapile, director of the Zwane Community Centre in Guguletu, South Africa and Bongani Magatyana are determined to change this.

Bongani Magatyana, an accomplished musician and composer, has formed Siyaya - a performing group made up of 14 musicians who live in the townships surrounding Cape Town. In January of 2004 Bongani held auditions and within a month the newly formed group was rehearsing daily at the Zwane Centre. Very quickly, word got out about this exciting new group and offers began coming in for Siyaya to perform throughout South Africa, including an invitation to perform at Cape Town's prestigious jazz festival. Within a year, Siyaya had recorded their first CD. In May of 2005, Siyaya made their first U.S. tour. The Open Arms community was overwhelmed by their talent and the wonderful response from people.

Siyaya's music is a fusion of traditional African songs, opera, jazz and pop. Musical director, Magatyana, arranges and composes most of the material as well as choreographs the numbers. In every concert, Siyaya does AIDS education through music. Their songs on the ABC's of AIDS - abstain, be faithful, use condoms - are the highlight of their performances.

Now Siyaya returns to the United States for their third tour. Their music is exhilarating. They are not only entertaining - they are inspiring. This is a group you won't want to miss.

Read More: Kate Stanley wrote about Siyaya in her editiorial in the May 19th, 2005 StarTribune. Read that article.

Open Arms has a continuing relationship with JL Zwane Centre in Guguletu, South Africa where Siyaya is based. The focus of our work at the Centre is sponsoring food for people living with HIV/AIDS in the township. If you would like to learn more about these projects, click here.