The Legendary Whitney Houston’s Historic Concert in South Africa Coming to Theaters This Fall
LOS ANGELES – Whitney Houston’s legendary concert in South Africa, which took place after President Nelson Mandela’s groundbreaking election, is set to grace theater screens this fall.
Houston’s iconic performance in 1994 has been meticulously remastered and transformed into a theatrical release entitled “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban).” This exciting news was shared by several collaborators, including Houston’s estate, Sony Music Entertainment, and Trafalgar Releasing.
The limited theatrical screening is scheduled to premiere on Oct. 23 and will showcase the late singer’s never-before-released show from Durban, South Africa. Additionally, a new live album, also titled “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” is set to be released on Nov. 8.
Pat Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and Houston estate executor, expressed, “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. On this momentous 30th anniversary, we are thrilled that we can release this film not only to her fans but to the people of South Africa and its new generation.”
Back in 1994, Houston captivated audiences with three powerful concerts in South Africa, including Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. These performances marked a significant moment in a newly unified post-apartheid nation following Mandela’s historic election victory.
The concerts drew over 200,000 attendees and were brimming with celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Proceeds from the concerts were directed towards various local South African children’s charities through Houston’s foundation.
For the film release, Houston’s performance has been remastered into 4K video along with enhanced audio. The concert film is expected to be shown in nearly 900 cinemas across more than 25 countries.
Rickey Minor, Houston’s musical director for 25 years and a three-time Emmy winner, shared, “It was my first time in South Africa, and I don’t think that I was truly prepared for how this trip would change me 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.”
In the same year, Houston secured three Grammys, including Album of the Year for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack. She also won Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the massive hit “I Will Always Love You.”
Houston, known for her powerful vocals rooted in the Black church but embraced by the masses through her pop persona, remains one of the world’s bestselling artists. Throughout her 25-year career, she sold over 200 million records worldwide and amassed six Grammys, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and two Emmys before her passing in 2012.
The live album will feature some of Houston’s greatest hits, including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Greatest Love of All,” along with the unreleased track “Love Is.”
Marc Allenby, the CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, emphasized the enduring message of hope and unity from the Durban, South Africa performance, stating, “Fans are going to be blown away by how powerful this is on the big screen.”
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