The world stood still last night as South African superstar Thembi “Moonlight” Mokoena became the FIRST artist to perform a concert on the moon!
The 35-year-old kwaito queen blasted off from Cape Town International Spaceport on Monday morning, arriving at the lunar surface just 18 hours later.
“I can’t believe I’m here! This is for Mzansi, for Africa, for everyone who ever dreamed of touching the stars,” Thembi shouted as she stepped onto the specially-built stage inside the Moon Dome Arena.
More than 500 lucky fans - who each paid a whopping R2.5 million for their tickets - floated in zero-gravity seats as Thembi belted out her biggest hits including “Fly Me to Soweto” and “Dancing on the Stars.”
The concert was broadcast LIVE to over 3 billion viewers worldwide, with massive viewing parties erupting across South Africa.
In Soweto, thousands gathered at Orlando Stadium to watch on giant screens. “This is our daughter! She’s making us proud up there!” screamed 67-year-old gogo Martha Dlamini, who has been Thembi’s fan since day one.
The historic performance lasted exactly 90 minutes - the maximum time allowed in the pressurized dome. Thembi wore a custom-made silver spacesuit designed by top South African fashion designer Thando Cele, covered in Swarovski crystals that sparkled under the lunar lights.
“Performing in one-sixth gravity was WILD! I was literally floating while singing,” Thembi told reporters via satellite link after the show. “I even did a backflip during my final song - something I could never do on Earth!”
The concert wasn’t without drama. Technical problems delayed the start by 30 minutes when one of the oxygen processors malfunctioned. But engineers quickly fixed the issue and the show went on.
Music promoter Sbu Shabalala, who organized the R5 billion event, said this was just the beginning. “Next year, we’re planning a FULL music festival on Mars. Can you imagine?”
Back on Earth, Thembi’s mother, Precious Mokoena, watched from her home in Alexandra. “I was so scared for my baby up there, but she did it! She really did it!” she said, wiping away tears of joy.
The concert ended with Thembi planting a South African flag on the moon’s surface and dedicating the performance to Nelson Mandela.
“Madiba always said we should reach for the impossible. Tonight, we did exactly that,” she said.
Thembi is expected to land back on Earth on Friday morning, touching down in the Karoo Desert.
