More than a decade later, Thikho Events is still making South Africans happy.
Most of the time, the people who love and enjoy making others happy don’t always receive the same energy in return. Maybe it is because we have become more accustomed to receiving than giving.
Last night at Emperors Palace, where Thikho Events hosted its Soul & RnB Experience, I found myself thinking about exactly that. And I realised that maybe it is time we give the Thikho Events team their flowers and remind them that their hard work is seen and appreciated.
Over the years, Thikho Events has become renowned for delivering world-class live experiences that bring together music, culture, lifestyle and business. They have successfully positioned themselves as the Home of Premium Concerts. and from what I have experienced last night, they are still living up to that promise.
The reality is that we are living through challenging times. Almost every day, South Africa wakes up to another heartbreaking story - women being killed, e-hailing drivers being robbed, mass shootings and other incidents that can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed by the state of our country.
Yet, as frustrating and painful as that reality is, there is something that happens when people walk into a room where Thikho Events has organised a night out, for a few hours, South Africans seem to become some of the happiest people you will ever see.
And that does not mean reality is ignored. In fact, the Thikho Events team acknowledges these painful realities during its gatherings and has, at most times, observed moments of silence - reminding us that even while we celebrate, we remain aware that we are living through difficult times.
More than a decade later, Thikho Events is still making South Africans happy.
I have attended a few Thikho Events experiences now, and one thing I am beginning to appreciate even more is how well they put artists together for a show.
It doesn’t feel like a simple case of, “Who can sing? Let’s put them on the line-up.” There seems to be a formula, careful observation and understanding of audiences behind the selection of artists for each event.
Last night was a perfect example. On the menu were Big Zulu, Zonke and Nathi, and man, that combination worked so perfect!
I honestly could not believe that three South African artists could deliver such a complete, world-class experience in one evening, with nothing to complain about. From the timing and sound quality to the performances themselves, everything felt like it was operating at 100 percent and beyond.
And then there was the audience. A room filled with people from Soweto, Vosloorus, Durban, Gqeberha and many other parts of the country was alive. People were singing along like always, dancing, laughing and simply enjoying themselves.
For me, there is something beautiful about watching people at their happiest, even when you know that, for some of them, it may only be for a few hours before they return to the realities waiting outside those doors.
And that is exactly why I found myself thinking, someone needs to remind the Thikho Events team that what they are doing really matters.
They have become an important part of South Africa’s entertainment landscape. People need spaces where they can breathe, celebrate, sing along to songs they grew up with, dance with strangers and temporarily put down the weight of everyday life. And Thikho Events continues to create those spaces.
Your Sunday favourites and the DJs deserve their flowers too. They don’t simply play mostly South African music, they very well understand the South African audience. They know exactly which buttons to press, which songs will get Mzansi moving and how to prepare a room before the headline acts even step onto the stage. One could tell that experience is key.
As for Big Zulu, Zonke and Nathi, I am currently not ready to write about them individually, or maybe I should simply admit that I am still out of words. I am still processing the reality that South African music is in very safe hands.
Their performances were everything a ticket buyer hopes to experience when they spend their hard-earned money on a night out - powerful vocals, presence, connection with the audience and performances that remind you why these artists have earned their place in our music industry.
More than a decade into the journey, I think this is one of the greatest compliments that can be paid to Thikho Events, they continue to understand what makes South Africans come together. They understand the music. They understand the audience. They understand the experience.
Most importantly, they understand that sometimes people just need a few hours to be happy.
So, to anyone who has not been paying attention, it is time to notice. And to the Thikho Events team - take your flowers.
For more, visit: Thikho Events
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