The late Whitney Houston's historic 1994 South African concert following former president Nelson Mandela's landmark election, is set to hit cinemas next month.
Spearheaded by Sony Music Entertainment as well as the “I Will Always Love You” hitmaker’s estate, among others, “Whitney Houston – The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)” will be released in some countries on October 23, and in others on October 27. The South African release date has not been confirmed yet.
As part of the 30th Anniversary celebration of Houston’s iconic SA concert, it will feature the never-before-released concert from her Durban performance at the Kings Park Stadium in 1994, which has been remastered in 4K and with improved audio.
At the time, Houston took to the stage in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
These shows made the musical superstar the first major Western recording artist to perform in democratic South Africa.
“Whitney’s powerhouse voice and emotional delivery brought joy and inspiration to a country newly liberated,” Sony explained in a statement.
Around 200 000 people attended her concerts in the three cities as they celebrated the nation’s newfound freedom. In addition, the proceeds from her performances were donated to several local charities through her foundation.
Meanwhile, Legacy Recordings, the catalogue division of Sony Music Entertainment, will also drop a new live album, “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)”, on November 8, which was also the date of Houston’s Durban show three decades ago.
It will feature some of her greatest hits from the unprecedented show such as “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “How Will I Know”, “I Have Nothing”, “Greatest Love of All”, “I Will Always Love You”. and other landmark classics including “Amazing Grace” and “Home”.
The new album also features the previously unreleased track, “Love Is.” The collection will be available on CD and vinyl for the first time and is currently available for pre-order.
Speaking about Houston’s Mzansi concerts, Trafalgar Releasing CEO Marc Allenby, who is also part of these initiatives, said that they captured “every note, every cheer, every tear, immortalising a night that transcended music and became a beacon of change and celebration”.
“The message of hope and unity from the Durban, South Africa, performance is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago and fans are going to be blown away by how powerful this is on the big screen.”
Pat Houston, the executive producer and executor of The Estate of Whitney E Houston, added: “I know that Whitney would have been filled with joy to know that this concert film will be released around the world to her fans.”
“She loved South Africa, she loved the people and she loved Nelson Mandela. This concert is one of the most consequential concerts of her career.”
Meanwhile, Marty Callner who worked with Houston and directed “Whitney Houston – The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)”, described the show as “pure magic and the best performance I have ever witnessed”.
“I am so thrilled that the world finally gets to experience that special, special night.”
Rickey Minor, a three-time Emmy Award winner and Houston’s former musical director, added that his trip to South Africa at the time changed him forever.
“The energy was electric and the audience was incredible as we celebrated the end of apartheid. Whitney shared her love and shined her light.”
The music legend, who died at age 48 from what was ruled an accidental drowning on February 11, 2012, in California, was one of the greatest musicians of her generation.
WIth 220 million combined albums, singles and videos sold worldwide during her career, she is also the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.
She also has eight multi-platinum albums and was the first female artist to enter the Billboard 200 album chart at No. 1 and was the first black recording artist to receive three RIAA Diamond-certified albums.