LOS ANGELES – Whitney Houston‘s epic concert in South Africa staged after President Nelson Mandela’s landmark election will be hitting theater screens this fall.
Houston’s legendary performance in 1994 has been transformed into a fully-remastered theatrical release titled “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban).” This exciting news was announced Tuesday by collaborators including Houston’s estate, Sony Music Entertainment, and Trafalgar Releasing.
The limited theatrical screening is scheduled to debut on Oct. 23 and will showcase the late singer’s previously unseen show from Durban, South Africa. Additionally, a new live album, “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” is set to be released on Nov. 8.
“She adored South Africa, the people, and Nelson Mandela,” said Pat Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and executor of the estate, who is also an executive producer of the concert film. “This concert was one of the most significant moments in her career. We are thrilled to be able to share this film with her fans, as well as the people of South Africa and its new generation on this momentous 30th anniversary.”
In 1994, Houston performed at three concerts in South Africa, including in Durban at Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. These performances were a part of the newly unified post-apartheid nation following Mandela’s historic election victory.
The concerts attracted over 200,000 attendees and were a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Proceeds from the concerts supported various local South African children’s charities through her foundation.
The remastered 4K video and enhanced audio of Houston’s performance will be screened in nearly 900 cinemas in more than 25 countries.
“The energy was electric, and the audience was incredible as we celebrated the end of apartheid. Whitney shared her love and shined her light,” said Rickey Minor, Houston’s musical director for 25 years.
The live album will include some of Houston’s greatest hits like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Greatest Love of All.” It will also feature the unreleased track ”Love Is.”
“The message of hope and unity from the Durban, South Africa performance is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago,” said Marc Allenby, the CEO of Trafalgar Releasing. “Fans are going to be blown away by how powerful this is on the big screen.”
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
