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Jozi ma sweetie

"I bear a chalice of gold between my hips
And money is dripping from my lips
Some call me Johannesburg, City of Industry
But those who love me, call me... Jozi ma sweetie."

Jozi – From: Jozi Ma Sweetie

Jozi has always been a city of ambivalence- but she leaves nobody cold. Gold digger, prostitute, freedom fighter, drag queen, scandal monger, entrepreneur, fashionista… just when you think you know her, she shows you another side of her that catches you off-guard! With the brazen poise of a drag queen and a liquid heart of gold, her enigmatic nature has rubbed off on her daughters. Jozi-girls like Ruth First, Miriam Makeba, Nadine Gordimer, Helen Suzman, Dolly Rathebe, Charlize Theron (yes, we do count Benoni as part of Jozi!), Lebo Mathosa and Marianne Fassler have all strutted their stuff on international stages.

Jozi Ma Sweetie , commissioned and produced by the University of Johannesburg, is an original musical that pays tribute to the wiles and ways of Jozi and the women who have called her home. Through the eyes of Joseph (a taxi driver), Ma Africa, Mzansi and Jozi, the musical weaves its way through two nights and a day in the life of the city. With the waxing and waning of the light, a variety of Jozi-girls share their dreams and histories. The music is contemporary, yet catchy – and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, there’s an unforeseen judo manoeuvre in the waltz!

Acclaimed musician/composer Rocco de Villiers conceptualised the show and composed and produced the music. The script is written by Emma Bekker and Alby Michaels is the director. The show is choreographed by Owen Lonzar and Marga Sander is in charge of the vocal direction.

Jozi Ma Sweetie is staged from 16 September to 3 October 2009 (Wednesdays to Saturdays) at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre in Auckland Park.

Tickets cost R65 and bookings can be done at Computicket – www.computicket.com or 011 340 8000.

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