FORTY years ago, Mzansi artists came together to perform at the historic Concert in the Park at Ellis Park Stadium, Joburg.
Now, four decades later, Marah Louw is blessed to still be alive and celebrating the event's 40th anniversary.
She and other artists, including Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, PJ Powers, Juluka and Blondie Makhene performed at the iconic concert in 1985.
Now, they're preparing to take to the stage again.
They'll be celebrating the event by hosting the Unity Concert, which will be commemorating 40 years of the Concert in the Park.
This time, Marah and Hotstix will step in as producers.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Marah said the longevity of the music and the artists from that era still feels like a miracle.
"It's a miracle from the Almighty. The fact that some of us are still here and we have never stopped. I can't remember ever saying I am retiring now. Forty years ago, I was already travelling to London and Japan and then came this concert.
"So, it's a blessing and a miracle from the Almighty. And I'm excited that we're commemorating this concert. It was huge then, in 1985," she said.
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She explained that the idea to commemorate the moment didn't come from a boardroom strategy session, but from conversations between people who lived through it.
"This didn't just come easy. It's not someone waking up and saying, 'let's do the commemoration'. It takes a couple of people sitting together, maybe having lunch, people who were there, saying, 'Do you remember that concert in Ellis Park?' And then you realise that was probably the biggest concert this country has ever seen," she said.
"It wasn't about one artist. It featured a number of artists from different genres. There was Juluka, there was rock and roll, PJ Powers with Hotstix, different artists riding the wave at that time. It was the top of the crop."
Back then, Marah was performing. This year, she's helping shape the experience from behind the scenes.
"It's going to be exciting. But it's a lot of hard work. You must never underestimate what happens backstage behind closed doors. Sipho and I have to agree on everything. We have to speak to producers," she said.
Marah and Hotstix met when they were both six years old.
"We started around the same time in show business. We even went to the same school, Orlando West High. We have known each other since we were kids. The first time I met Sipho, we were around six years old. We then bumped into each other again in high school, and we travelled this journey in show business together," she said.
"But we have been around for almost 60 years. That's a long time. By the grace of God, we still look good and we're still taking care of ourselves."
The concert will take place at Orlando Amstel Arena in Orlando, Soweto, on 14 June.
"It's called the Unity Concert. We need to unite. We're starting to become fragmented in our country. We have been through apartheid, we have been through painful situations.
"Some of our friends and family were killed during the struggle. This show is not about the struggle. It's about uniting the nation of South Africa, everybody, never mind the colour of your skin, gathering on 14 June to be one," said the singer.
As part of the anniversary, a heritage documentary is also in the works.
"We have already started with the documentary. Quite a number of things have been shot by a professional who's handling it. Our producer, Clive Hardwick, is at the helm together with me.
"We're doing things step by step. The documentary will mix footage from the 1985 concert with what's happening now. It will excite people and show them what to expect. We're working with a highly respected producer of documentaries and movies. It will be exciting," she said.












