Whitney Houston’s Historic South African Concert to Hit Theaters This Fall
Whitney Houston’s iconic concert in South Africa, performed in 1994, is set to be released in theaters this fall. The concert, which was held in Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, was a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity in a newly unified post-apartheid nation. The event drew over 200,000 attendees and benefited local children’s charities through Houston’s foundation.
The concert film, titled “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” has been remastered in 4K video and enhanced audio. It will be shown in nearly 900 cinemas in over 25 countries, starting October 23. A new live album, also titled “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” will be released on November 8.
Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and estate executor, said, “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.”
Rickey Minor, Houston’s musical director for 25 years, recalled the experience: “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.”
The concert was a pivotal moment in Houston’s career, which saw her win three Grammys earlier that year for her album “The Bodyguard” soundtrack. Her live album will feature some of her greatest hits, including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Greatest Love of All,” as well as an unreleased track titled “Love Is.”
According to Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, “The message of hope and unity from the Durban, South Africa performance is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Fans are going to be blown away by how powerful this is on the big screen.”
