World-renowned American pop, and R&B sensation Christopher Maurice Brown popularly known as Chris Brown by legions of fans across the globe delivered a flawless masterclass in entertainment, audience connection and celebration of music, culture, and power of live performance in the golden province over the long weekend at the FNB stadium.
Ecstatic Chris Brown fans sang and danced in feverish excitement as the superstar kicked off his two-day extravaganza.
Hours before the doors opened hundreds of people were thronging outside the stadium, including some who had travelled halfway around the world to catch the show, anxious to see the global music icon – one of the world’s best-selling artists.
Once the concert was about to begin, the sold out FNB stadium- filled to the brim – erupted in cheers as their “super star” emerged on stage.
Dubbed the “11:11” concert, the two-days extravaganza brought thousands of music, popular culture fans and media across the African continent to the golden province of Gauteng in a celebration of Brown’s unparalleled love for South Africa and the continuation of the provincial tourism body, golden festive summer ena’lanto campaign.
The American superstar’s performance in front of the combined total audience of over 190 000 created a synchronicity of events with the concert re-emphasizing the “gees” ‘lanto, “that thing” which continues to characterize the unique energy and offering of South Africa and Africa’s richest, most populace and most visited province.
Both concert days were sold out. During the performance, Chris Brown delivered his hit songs such as Angel numbers, wall to wall and under the influence, receiving enthusiasm applause from the audience. The stadium was illuminated by a sea of cellphone lights, creating a spectacular visuals.
Reflecting on the concert, acting Gauteng Premier and MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile stated that the long weekend generated into the provincial visitor economy a conservative estimate of 900 million with 600 temporary jobs.
“These events not only do they contribute immensely to our destination competitiveness but plays a critical role in driving increased visitation, high tourism revenue, spend and more bed nights as visitors explore and fall in love with the golden province more and more.”
“For us in Gauteng, these are not statistics or numbers to throw around or is this just about fun and parties, this represent actual improvement in the livelihoods of our residents, bread on the tables of our entrepreneurs, tour operators, event’s organizers and an important market access opportunities for our SMMEs and positive advert for the golden province regionally, and global”, added MEC Maile.
The famous Breezy Bowl (calabash) concert weekend experience also coincided with the third and final T20 Cricket match between the Proteas and Pakistan and the sold-out annual Soul & Gospel concert in Tshwane, the country’s golden capital city.
“Leveraging on the province’s quality transport, entertainment, telecommunications and hospitality infrastructure, Gauteng rolled-out the golden carpet for locals and visitors alike. Thousands descended on our main ports of entry from OR Tambo and Lanseria International Airports to Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Namibian borders into SA and amongst others used the gautrain and other organized park and ride facilities. Our multi-disciplinary teams of law enforcement agencies together with stadia management and organizer’s security, all executed the plan for a safer, enjoyable, and rewarding festive summer ena’lanto eGauteng expertly. We would like to thank and appreciate all who worked tirelessly to ensure that we provide consistently, world-class, and safe eventing ecosystem in our province”, concluded Maile.
Joining Breezy on stage over the two-days where some of South Africa and Africa’s finest acts like LoJay and Davido from Nigeria, DJ’s fresh and DJ Maphorisa.
Thapelo Magola
Soweto Sunrise News
