Johannesburg was buzzing this past weekend as the Journey of Discovery concert brought together artists from Hong Kong and South Africa (SA) in a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and connection.

The two-night show, hosted at the iconic Market Theatre, saw performers blend traditional African rhythms with Hong Kong’s contemporary rock and oriental melodies, creating a sound that was as unexpected as it was electric. Presented by the National Arts Council of SA and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the concert marked the second chapter of a creative partnership that first began in 2024 at the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo.

SA musician Thandeka Mfinyongo, known for her mastery of indigenous string instruments, said the experience was a thrilling challenge.

“It was such a beautiful journey,” she shared. “Playing my traditional instrument alongside a Hong Kong rock band was something I never imagined, and somehow, it just worked. The blend of sounds was magical.”

Hong Kong artist Jing Wong described performing in SA as both exhilarating and heart-warming.

“The passion of the SA musicians is contagious,” he said. “Even though we come from different musical worlds, once we started playing, everything just flowed. The audience could feel that connection.”

From the soulful isiXhosa vocals to the experimental Cantonese melodies, Journey of Discovery turned the Market Theatre into a melting pot of rhythm and emotion. The crowd responded in kind, dancing, clapping, and cheering throughout the night.

As Mfinyongo put it; “You don’t need to understand the language to feel the music. It connects us in ways words never could.”

If this weekend’s performances are anything to go by, Journey of Discovery has struck a chord that will resonate far beyond Johannesburg.

–ChannelAfrica–