Blessing Sibanyoni

OFTEN purpose is viewed as something that one is divinely assigned, but taking up your baton is something which requires determination. There’s more responsibility on you if you’re a woman, as society remains harsh on the female species.

Former pianist in the music ensemble, Ladies in Jazz Sankie Baraza,has been in the music industry for years now, serving her purpose. But with her concert Women of Purpose has forced her to tap into another layer of herself which in-turn helps other women’s existence serve its purpose.

“Womem Of Purpose is to allow women all around the world, especially from underprivileged backgrounds to know and realise their purpose. Who they are and why they were created. To celebrate women of all ages, all races and all careers,” Baraza says, speaking to Tha Bravado.

Happening for the third year, the WOP concert will take place in the capital city’s Botanical Gardens African Pride Cafe, poignantly themed Women’ thou art loosed. “…[it] was inspired by the challenges I went through in my own personal life and by giving it all to the Lord and fighting the good fight of faith I found myself being loosened from all bondages and realised ‘that hey, why don’t I share this with women’ to help someone who feels like this is the end of the world,” says the renowned Music Director Baraza.

The day’s line-up is made up of musicians and speakers that include 2016 SATMA nominee LES-EGO, Mo Afrika, Vocal Trio, Tshegofatso Vilakazi, Rhoda, Phindile The Soul Provider, Nothando Mkhwanazi,Blessing Sibanyoni, ministers Nomsa Radebe and Apostle Sarah Mokwena. Baraza will be on stage alongside most of the musicians, but will also have her solo.

“It really has not been easy to put together the line-up because at times some of the musicians that I know and would love for them to participate, you find that they have commitments somewhere else or in most cases, I don’t have enough to give them as appreciation for participating.” Baraza has no sponsors and organises the event from her own pocket.

The name of the event might intimidate males to thinking that they are barred from Pretoria’s Botanical Gardens on the 17th this month, but Baraza says the event has no sexist vibes against the male species. “Men can and should attend, to get inside the brain and heart of a woman. My father helped me organise the first ever Women Of Purpose.”