Janet Jackson in South Africa

By Fred Zindi | Sep. 22, 2024

Tito Jackson was one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group, the Jackson 5.

We begin with the sad news:

Last Sunday, September 15, while preparing for the DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival in South Africa, Janet Jackson was hit with the shocking news that her brother, Tito Jackson aged 70, was no more.

This must have put Janet Jackson in a situation where a difficult choice had to be made between two alternatives, either to cancel the South African tour or to attend her brother’s funeral. What a dilemma!

Tito Jackson was one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group, the Jackson 5.

He was the third of ten children, including global superstars Michael and Janet, and was part of a music-making family whose songs have sold hundreds of millions of copies.

Tito’s sons TJ, Taj and Taryll Jackson said in a statement posted on Instagram late Sunday:

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,”

The news was confirmed by Jackson’s three sons, who were themselves an R’n’B/pop trio, 3T, in the 1990s.

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They continued: “He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us.

“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another’. We love you Pops.”

The Jackson 5’s hits included ABC, The Love You Save and I Want You Back.

Janet must be very sad this weekend. I am wondering if she gave her all in yesterday’s concert as she is known to give very energetic performances when she goes on stage. I am yet to receive a review from a friend who attended the show.

Over the past six weeks, an announcement was made by DStv, the sponsors of the Janet Jackson show that:

“Johannesburg is going to get very deliciously ‘musical’ this September as the most awaited music event in the African continent finally happens. The DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival takes centre stage on September 21 and 22 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit with multi-platinum, multiple Grammy Award-winning icon Janet Jackson headlining a star-studded line-up of local and international acts that also includes the Grammy Award-winning neo-soul queen. Besides being among the largest events in terms of entertainment, the festival is a celebration of 30 years of creative freedom in South Africa.”

This got many music fans excited and thousands of concert tickets were bought in advance in order to witness the event at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.

Who is Janet Jackson?

This sounds like a silly question especially after we have all heard of her world famous brother, the late Michael Jackson, the world’s most talented music star who dominated all the continents of the universe with his pop music and was labelled ”king of pop” before his death in 2009.

Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is sister to the late Michael Jackson and the last born in the Jackson family. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise to prominence while breaking gender and racial barriers in the process. Lyrical content that focused on social issues and lived experiences set her reputation as a role model for youth.

Janet Jackson is the tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family. She made her debut at the MGM Grand and she starred in the television series The Jacksons in 1976 and went on to appear in other television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. After signing a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982, she became a pop star following the release of her third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). In 1991, Jackson signed the first- of two- record breaking multi- million dollar contracts with Virgin Records, establishing her as one of the highest-paid artistes in the industry. Prior to her first studio project with Virgin, she appeared in her first of several lead film roles in Poetic Justice (1993). Her two studio albums which followed, Janet (1993) and The Velvet Rope (1997), saw her develop a public image as a sex symbol.

These records, along with their promotional music videos and live performances in concert tours, branded Jackson as one of the world’s most erotic performers, garnering both criticism and praise. By the end of the 1990s, she was named by Billboard magazine as the second most successful recording artist of the decade in the United States after Mariah Carey. The release of her seventh studio album All For You in 2001 coincided with a celebration of her impact on the recording industry as the subject of the inaugural MTV Icon Special.

After a period away from the spotlight, Jackson has captivated audiences with her electrifying performances in recent times in cities such as Miami and Los Angeles. Fans were eager to see her bring her high-energy show to South Africa, where her influence and music have resonated deeply over the years since her last performance in that country in 1998.

The DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival event which took place yesterday and continues today is a rare opportunity that brings international and South African artistes together on one stage, celebrating 22 years of the musical wealth of South Africa. The powerful voice of Jill Scott, bringing meaning with her soul-filled lyrics to the forefront, is headlining today, Sunday, September 22, alongside leading South African acts such as the Soweto Gospel Choir and Sjava. It will also include A “30 Years of Creative Freedom Show” which features a cast of some of South Africa’s most legendary musicians.

Jill Scott, a celebrated and beloved talent in South Africa known for her soulful voice and powerful performances, is a testament to the enduring popularity of RnB music in South Africa. Her presence at the festival is sure to be a highlight, drawing in fans who have long appreciated her contributions to the genre.

The festival does not only feature the above-mentioned international stars but also an impressive lineup of local talent. Artists such as Sjava, Thandiswa Mazwai, and the Soweto Gospel Choir have been included, showcasing the vibrant and diverse musical landscape of South Africa, tying in with the celebration of the country’s creative freedom and the advances made in the past 30 years.

Day one: The headlining acts for the first day of the festival on Saturday, September 21st featured Janet Jackson , Thandiswa Mazwai, and G-Force. Supporting acts included Boom Shaka, Khuli Chana, Yanga, Okmalumkoolkat, Robotboii, Reason, Maggz, Touchline, Cassper Nyovest, Morafe, and Focalistic.

Day two: Sunday the 22nd, will take more of a soulful path with Jill Scott, Soweto Gospel Choir, Sjava, The Maestro, amongst other acts gracing the stage; Sipho “Hostix” Mabuse, Jesse Clegg, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Zolani Mahola, and Mzwakhe Mbuli Senior.

Who is Jill Scott?

Jill Heather Scott (born April 4, 1972)[2] is an American singer, songwriter, model, poet and actress. Her 2000 debut album titled Who Is Jill Scott? went platinum and the follow-ups Beautifully Human (2004) and The Real Thing (2007) both achieved gold status.

The DStv Delicious Festival is a concert of sorts but is all-encompassing in music, culture, and food extravaganza, where people enjoy the finest talent on stage, manned by a satisfied taste bud with food from across the world. These combinations bring forth a unique fusion that places music and food lovers together in a sensory explosion. This musical event is about to turn into one not to be missed: the sound, culture, and food are combined into a lively, interactive setting.

How I wish I was in Johannesburg for this exciting extravaganza this weekend!

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