Celebrate the Centenary Year of 'Tata Mandela' - the Father of Africa

From Thursday, April 26th till Friday, April 27th, 2018, some very special events will be hosted at the Ritz Carlton Hotel to celebrate South African Freedom Day in this Nelson Mandela Centenary Year.

Born on July 18th, 1918, in a remote village of Mvezo, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the man affectionately known as Madiba, would have been 100-years-old this year. 2018 has been named his Centenary Year with special events around the world to honour the life and work of one of the most loved icons of our era, an anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Freedom Day is South Africa’s National Day and is celebrated on April 27th. It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994. The elections were the first non-racial national elections, where everyone of voting age of over 18 from any race group was allowed to vote.

The weekend’s festivities will kick off tonight with a concert outside on the grass behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel. South African chart-toppers, GoodLuck, all the way from Cape Town, will perform in Qatar for the very first time. They are famous for their lively performances.

GoodLuck is South Africa’s most exciting live electronic band, challenging audiences from around the world to take interest in a modern sound that is being hailed as truly African with the ability to cross over to an international electronic pop audience.

Their music is an irresistible blend of electronica, pop and subtle influences of jazz. GoodLuck creates a sound that is uniquely their own and they have been taking this sound to audiences across Europe, Africa, and the UK over the past 3 years.

The trio of musicians, whose collective expertise moulds their unique sound, features Juliet Harding on vocals – a songstress who has written hits both locally and internationally. She effortlessly takes listeners on nostalgic adventures with her lyrics and enchanting voice.

Matthew O’Connell is on saxophone and keys. He is new to the group but seemingly cut from the same cloth – his performances on stage are electrifying. They’re kept together by the wizardry of GoodLuck’s producer and founder Ben Peters, whose repertoire includes 7 number one hits and an uncanny ability to turn disparate ideas into foot- thumping dance floor fillers.

In September 2015 GoodLuck was selected to open for Pharrell Williams, as a part of his world tour, to rave reviews. GoodLuck has performed at sold-out concerts in Amsterdam, Berlin, and London, and most recently sold out all 5 concerts at their summer residency Get Lucky Summer.

They will be supported by a top local DJ line-up with South African foods and famous hospitality in abundance.

Friday, April 27th, Freedom Day will be an action-packed Family Day in the Ritz Carlton Garden, starting from 1 pm. Attractions include a games and activities corner for the kids, a pamper zone for the ladies, a fashion show with a top South African designer, Urban Zulu and a tribal drumming workshop hosted by Mr. P with bucketloads of South African spirit.

The food on offer will have a South African slant with classic à la carte treats in the garden for to savor and a special South African themed brunch in the Ritz Carlton farmers market. Local DJ names including Legacy, Steve Paris, and Warren Star will kickstart the party at sunset, which will ignite the dance floor into the night.

There will be no charge over the weekend and entry is open to everyone, South Africans are notoriously hospitable, so join the saffas of Qatar and share the spirit of the rainbow nation this weekend.

Brought to you by Qatar Living.