Grammy Award-winning entertainment icon Lebo M will be joined by multi-award-winning star Hans Zimmer on stage in Cape Town for a special one-night-only extravaganza. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Internationally renowned composer and producer Lebo M is preparing to light up Cape Town with an unforgettable live production alongside legendary film composer Hans Zimmer.
Known for his iconic work on "The Lion King", Lebo M is bringing his signature grandeur to the stage, in what promises to be a world-class experience for South African audiences.
Speaking to IOL ahead of the show, Lebo M shared insights into the scale and ambition behind the production.
“We started rehearsals a while back,” he explained. “Our process is twofold—first, building the infrastructure: the lighting, the tech, the set. Then comes the cast and the production elements. Hans will join us in Cape Town a few days before the show to slot into the full performance.”
With a team of 300 to 500 professionals involved, from costume designers to lighting engineers, Lebo M says no single element outweighs another in importance.
“Every detail matters, at the end of the day, it’s about the impact, the feeling we leave with the audience. We want them to walk away knowing that it’s possible to create and deliver a high-quality production, made by and owned by Black people.”
Beyond the spectacle, Lebo M is proud of the show’s ripple effect on job creation and empowerment. “We’re impacting lives directly and indirectly. From the production crew to the venues we hire, this show supports hundreds of people.
"The vision goes beyond Cape Town, we’re planning a three-year global tour, taking our entire team with us.”
This international tour doesn’t just mean exposure for South African talent; it means jobs paid in foreign currency, with long-term benefits for the artists and their families, explained the Grammy award-winning producer.
Fans of Lebo M’s reality show will be excited to see a familiar face on stage—his daughter, renowned singer-songwriter, Refi Sings. “She’s toured with me and Hans for the last seven years, and it felt natural to have her as one of the guest stars,” he said.
“This show is deeply personal—it’s about legacy, and it’s a continuation of bringing African talent to the world.”
Joining his daughter are several South African artists, including the Drakensberg Boys Choir, and a host of guest performers. While Hans Zimmer is the headliner, the show celebrates a diverse group of creatives, spanning genres and generations.
While Lebo M could have launched this tour anywhere, Cape Town was a deliberate choice. “I’ve done big things in Gauteng. Cape Town felt like the next step,” he said.
“The city was incredibly supportive and quick to respond to our needs. It just made sense from a timing and relationship perspective.”
This isn’t Lebo M’s first time making history in Cape Town. He brought "The Lion King" to the Artscape in 2008 and produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For him, returning to the Mother City is both nostalgic and strategic.
While he remains tight-lipped about any surprises, Lebo M promises something audiences have never seen before.
“I’m not sure ‘surprise’ is the word,” he mused. “It’s more about the experience—delivering something so unique and powerful that we don't even know how people will react. That anticipation is exciting.”
Lebo M with special guest Hans Zimmer in Cape Town is not just a concert—it’s a cultural statement, a global showcase of African excellence, and a personal milestone for one of the country’s most celebrated creatives.
The live concert takes place at Grand Arena, Grand West in Cape Town on April 18.
IOL Entertainment