Dr Victor and The Rasta Rebels have promised to perform at Sunday’s concert in Kimberley like it is their last performance on Earth.
DR VICTOR and The Rasta Rebels have promised to perform at Sunday’s concert in Kimberley like it is their last performance on Earth.
One of South Africa’s best-loved bands, they will be sharing the stage with legendary guitarist Jonathan Butler at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre on Sunday night.
Founding member Victor Khojane said that the band felt honoured by the opportunity to open for Butler on their home turf.
Khojane said they were allocated an hour on stage and they aim to squeeze in all the hits for their fans.
“We are going to give it our everything. We bring the past to the present through giving our fans their favourite tracks like ‘Give Me Hope Joanna, ‘Shambala’, ‘Tambaii’ and ‘Tswang Tswang Tswang’,” said Khojane.
He emphasised the importance of an artist always giving their best performance, “as if it was their last”, especially in light of the recent unexpected deaths of a number of much-loved SA artists.
He noted that the latest tragedies come after the music industry was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown.
“It’s post-Covid, you know, and everyone is running around to put bread on the table. We are going to unpack everything because like they say, ‘you are only as good as your last performance’. You never know, especially now that we’ve had these tragedies where musicians die unexpectedly. Like AKA was killed in Durban, Costa Titch collapsed during his performance and Gloria Bosman passed away this week as well.
“It is something that doesn’t sit well with me as a South African musician. I’m asking questions as to what is going on that a lot of young artists don’t even seem to reach the age of 40. It’s so sad to me.”
“So, for me, when you give me an opportunity like this to perform, especially in my home town, of course I’m going to give my best and put my best foot in front and do it as if it’s my last performance,” said Khojane.
He added that Jonathan Butler has always been his idol.
Khojane noted that this will be the second time that he gets to share the stage in Kimberley with his hero.
“The last time was in 1981 before he went to the UK. We were his backing band at Kim-By-Nite. I feel honoured to be hooking up with him again after more than 30 years, to do what we started.
“That was after the release of his album titled ‘7th Avenue’, which was doing amazingly well. Of course, we are both older and more experienced now but I am really looking forward to Sunday’s performance.”
He said it will be the “cherry on top” if they get the chance to play one of their songs with Butler.
“It will be an honour to perform one of my two most favourite songs – ‘Give Me Hope Joanna’ or ‘Tswang Tswang Tswang’ – which are Struggle songs.”
He explained that ‘Give Me hope Joanna’ was a Struggle song that was banned by the apartheid government and gave him his big break and changed his life.
“When I released that song I was staying in Hillbrow and was struggling a lot. That album gave me a start-up in life. I was able to buy myself a small car and rent my own apartment. I can sing that song a thousand times but I never get tired of it because it changed my life, for which I will forever be grateful.”
Khojane said that among his career highlights are the times he shared the stage with Tina Turner.
He has also shared the stage with the likes of Jeanette Jackson, Eddie Grant, Paul Simons and Gloria Estefan.
“Meeting those musicians made me realise that I am surely on the right track.”
Dr Victor and The Rasta Rebels released their last album, titled ‘Gotta Be You’, just before the Covid-19 lockdown.
Khojane said that it’s a relief that the world is slowly reopening, along with opportunities, while everyone is trying to recover from the pandemic.
He revealed that he is working on a winter release, which he hopes to drop by the end of April.
“I am currently working hard and my dream is to retire and return home to Kimberley and work with local bands. We can share ideas and learn from each other. There are already local projects up my sleeve.
“The thing is, I’m not going be around forever and I therefore want to plant the seed and leave a legacy. Although there are ready-made artists in this era I want to be able to share skills with the young as we, the older generation, have learned from our mistakes.
“It will be pointless and selfish for people like Jonathan and myself not to help the up-and-coming generation. My wish is to stop thinking about myself and think about the state of the Northern Cape artists.”
The biggest advice Dr Victor has for young, aspiring artists is: “Respect yourself and always understand that you are a public figure, people look up to you. Try to be sober and stay away from drugs and alcohol. Otherwise, you are just not going to make it. You have to be sober-minded when you think. Nobody just made it overnight. Give your body enough rest in preparation for the next day’s work … and stay clear of the law.”
He further urged artists to learn to share ideas and knowledge and not to be afraid to ask questions.
