The Rainbow Nation: South Africa and her musical ambassadors took the Basel stage that evening. First and foremost, the legendary Hugh Masekela. His art encompasses everything that is music on the Cape: the belief in the integrity of each human being, wrapped up in a mix of Kwela music and jazz with a generous shot of pop. Adding their heat to the mix were the sensational Mahotella Queens.

In the first half, Freshlyground, featuring the marvellous singer Zolani Mahola, presented their modern afropop: light and airy and shining as brightly as the colours of the rainbow.

Beat Blaser