Renowned Russian saxophonist and Moscow Jazz Orchestra Director Igor Butman performed at a Cape Town memorial dedicated to Russian sailors, honoring their legacy with a rendition of the song "Varyag".
"You have a memorial in a country that is at least 15 hours away by plane, and it's still honoring our heroes. We just feel like we have to do something to pay respect and love and honor pride for our heroes," Butman says.
Butman, who is performing at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, praised South Africa’s rich jazz heritage, citing the influence of legends like Hugh Masekela.
"A lot of African rhythms are now incorporated into jazz music. That's all authentical and ethno mode for music. It also comes from Africa," he states.
He also emphasized the unifying power of jazz amid global tensions, emphasizing the role "incredible music" has in "overpowering politics".
"Musicians should work even harder on our art to bring people together," Butman asserts.
Looking ahead, Butman expresses interest in collaborating with African artists, including Abdullah Ibrahim, and fostering cultural exchanges between Russia and South Africa.
Africa’s First Moon Mission: Africa2Moon Selected for China’s Chang’e 8
In the second segment, physicist Adriana Marais, director of the Foundation for Space Development Africa, announced that Africa2Moon has been chosen as a payload for China’s 2029 Chang’e 8 lunar mission.
"This will be Africa's first mission to the moon... the world's first radio astronomy array operational from the moon," Marais revealed.
The project aims to study low-frequency radio waves blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, targeting solar activity, planetary emissions, and galactic phenomena.
Marais dismissed critics who argue Africa should prioritize poverty over space exploration.
"Africa has around a billion people... We can certainly do both," she says.
She highlighted the mission’s collaborative nature, with China providing launch support.
The project is part of the broader International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a China-Russia-led initiative. "We hope to contribute to a positioning system for the Moon," Marais added, emphasizing Africa’s growing role in space exploration.
To hear more about the lunar mission and Russian jazz, check out the entire episode of the AfroVerdict podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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