Popular bands celebrate women at botanical gardens.

The stage was set at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens for the arrival of South Africa’s much-loved band Mango Groove. As spectators started coming in through the gates with their picnic baskets and camping chairs, the sun played along and heated up the open arena surrounded by the beautiful mountains in the gardens.

The crowd grew larger by the minute and after half an hour the entire open arena area was filled up with spectators who already started to nibble on their snacks.

The purpose of the show was to celebrate Women’s Month and the importance of women in our society.

Duo Josie Field and Laurie Levine opened up the show with a song inspired and written by women.

The two, who are both excellent singers in their own right, formed a band called Side by Side and the crowd warmed up to their music from the first note.

One of the songs, Beating Heart,was written by Josie Field for women to show that they also have a place in society.

Field said at the start of her song, “The song was written to show the strength of woman and that they should never give up.”

After the duo performed their long list of hits and cover songs, a short 15-minute break was held to allow the main performers to occupy the stage for their stint.

Soon it became apparent that the crowd was becoming anxious to see their favourite band perform as they moved closer to the stage.

The 11-piece band appeared on stage with lead singer Claire Johnston at the microphone with three trumpet players on her right, and a talented group of women to her left.

The crowd started chanting the band’s name and Johnston sang songs that many younger South Africans grew up listening to.

Families danced and children joined in.

After a short while the atmosphere was electric and everyone was on their feet.

At the end of the second song Johnston congratulated the ladies in the audience and thanked them for their presence.

She added, “South Africa is where it is because of strong women in our society, women like you who are fighting to make our world a better place.”