When Lebohang Morake – known to the world as Lebo M – stepped onto the Grand Arena stage with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, it was more than a concert. It was a full-circle moment: the first full, live performance in South Africa with his longtime collaborator, three decades after The Lion King changed both their lives.
“I’m an emotional wreck,” Lebo M admitted days before the performance. “We’ve been building toward this moment for a decade – and living it for the last three years.”
It’s a milestone loaded with symbolism. Lebo turned 60 last year. It’s 30 years since the South African Constitution was enacted and since The Lion King made history. His mother turned 100. (She passed away in February 2025.) And it’s been a decade since his first arena tour with Hans. “I like round numbers,” he says with a smile. “The symmetry pushed us to ask: what do we do now that’s symbolic of a new dawn?”
For Lebo M, legacy is everything. “This isn’t just a concert – it’s a statement. It’s about proving that Africa can deliver world-class live entertainment, competitive at the highest level.”
That conviction has underpinned his enduring collaboration with Hans since The Power of One, long before The Lion King. “We were just simple guys back then,” Lebo recalls. “Do a movie, deliver to the director, move on. But we saw how audiences responded. Eventually, it was clear that I had to do what I’m doing now.”
That “now” includes mentoring young African artists through workshops alongside the show. “I didn’t just wake up and become Lebo M,” he reflects. “From a township youth club at 14, to being taken in by a Black church family in LA – there was always someone lifting me. I’m here because of them.”
From Soweto clubs to exile in the US, Lebo’s journey is rooted in resilience and empowerment. That ethos guides him today as he creates space for African voices globally. His work with Hans shaped the soundscape of The Lion King, but his deeper legacy lies in the lives he’s touched and the doors he’s opened.
“We approached African music not as a novelty but as equal,” he says of his early work. “We fought to keep the choir sound authentic. Hans even came to South Africa to re-record parts that didn’t sound African enough. That attention to detail made all the difference.”
More than three decades later, that sound still resonates worldwide. “It’s not just about the music – it’s the human impact. Seeing South Africans on Broadway, creating global pathways for African talent… that’s what drives me now.”
That mission echoed through the crowd in Cape Town – an intergenerational chorus of admiration, creativity, and gratitude.
Red carpet reflections
Excitement pulsed through the red carpet as artists and guests arrived to witness this historic moment – a homecoming and a celebration of African musical excellence.
Costume designer Melo Tokgwi shared: “I’m super excited. I’ve always admired Hans Zimmer, but it’s Lebo M who broke boundaries for young African artists like me. This is the kind of night we dream of.”
Lebo’s daughter, artist Refi Sings, reflected on his enduring influence: “There’s something pretty audacious about betting on yourself. There aren’t many people who, when presented with the opportunity to take such a leap, would succeed so spectacularly, all while uplifting South African art and artists simultaneously. A show like this presented a unique opportunity to merge worlds and areas of music, art, and culture that most don’t have the privilege to experience, certainly not all at once. I’m so proud of my dad for taking a chance on himself and us and sticking the landing like a rockstar.”
Award-winning singer and producer Tresor Riziki called the night “an incredible, historic moment.” A decade-long friend and collaborator of Lebo M, he recalled their early work together: “I met him when I was running a video production company. His manager, Sibo Mhlungu, and I became close. We’ve worked on several projects over the years.”
On Lebo M’s influence, he said: “He’s left an incredible imprint on African vocals and beats. Many people first heard African melodies through his soundtracks. He’s had a real impact on my career.”
A chorus of collaboration
From electronic cellists to kwela musicians, the concert was a fusion of global talent and African rhythm.
J’Something of Mi Casa shared the thrill of crossing genres: “We’re a dance music band, but here we are in this amazing orchestral setup. It’s an honour.”
Mo-T spoke to the heartbeat of the music: “It’s the drums – the djembes, the rhythm – that bring the inspiration.”
Dr Duda added: “The emotion. The warmth. That’s what defines African music.”
Electric cellist Mariko Muranaka, who joined the Hans Zimmer tour in 2023, brought rock-star flair to the orchestra. “Hans gives me the freedom to play. Sometimes he’ll just look at me like, ‘Go for it!’ There’s great chemistry.”
Classical violinist Rusanda Panfili spoke of the night’s emotional impact. “Music and image together – it’s so powerful. And with these two legends, it’s inspiring just to be here.”
Actor and comedian Siv Ngesi recalled studying to Hans Zimmer’s film scores. “I listened to The Last Samurai and Gladiator while prepping for exams. His music really touches the soul.”
Passing the baton
For media personality and entrepreneur Boity Thulo, the Lion King legacy is deeply personal. “We’ve grown up with this music,” she said. “Our parents, our aunts, our grandparents, everyone passed it down.”
The remake introduced it to new audiences, but the essence remains. She was moved by the newer interpretation: “I didn’t know Scar and Mufasa were orphans. That extra depth adds layers to the story. I think the string that connects it all is still those important messages of love, support, fighting for each other, and coming together. It’s still inclusive and I appreciate that.”
Creative producer and actress Brenda Molofe summed it up powerfully: “Lebo is walking, standing culture. What he creates lives on for generations. The Lion King is groundbreaking – it’s legacy work that never dies.”
That spirit of continuity was echoed by the Lerole brothers – Tshepo, Tebogo and Mpho – of Kwela Tebza. Sons of a pioneering kwela artist from the 1950s, their penny whistle performance brought history full circle. “Our father’s music lives through us. Being here tonight is an honour.”
A night to remember
For all its glamour and grandeur, the evening ultimately belonged to Lebo M – his story, his sound, and his spirit of upliftment. What he created wasn’t just a performance – it was a cultural reckoning. A reminder that African stories, told authentically and boldly, belong on the world’s biggest stages.
“My legacy,” Lebo M says, “is not just The Lion King. It’s how many people I’ve brought with me. How many doors I’ve opened. How many voices I’ve helped find their place on the world stage. That’s what I want to leave behind.
“I think my focus tonight is having done The Lion King for 30 years and having entered the next 30 years with Mufasa: The Lion King movie, this is my dream: I hope it leaves a legacy for South Africans that it’s possible to put together a South African project that is globally competitive and of high quality that we can all be proud of.”
And on that night in Cape Town, beneath the roar of applause and the echo of ancestral harmonies, his legacy rang loud and clear.
(Quotes have been edited for brevity.)
