Ronnie Scott’s with Ubuntu Ensemble

On the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, the Ubuntu Ensemble gathers at Ronnie Scott’s to mark one of the most defining moments in South Africa’s history through a powerful and deeply personal musical reflection. Double bassist Leon Bosch, who was arrested and imprisoned for his role in the anti-apartheid protests, leads this commemorative performance, both as tribute and a call to remember.

This evocative programme honours the lives lost and voices raised on 16 June 1976. Traditional protest songs such as Senzeni Na? resonate with historical gravity, while works by South African composers Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Mokale Koapeng, Monthati Masebe, Musa Nkuna and others, offer contemporary perspectives on memory, resistance, and healing.

From the fiery Soweto Cello Riffs and poignant Safika suite, to the stirring A Green Funeral, each piece explores the emotional terrain of struggle, identity, and resilience. The evening concludes with Ibuyile iAfrika – “Africa has returned” – a musical affirmation of cultural rebirth and hope.

This concert is a statement of artistic defiance and enduring humanity. Through music, the Ubuntu Ensemble offers a space for reflection, resistance, and healing, half a century on.