IT IS that time of the year when the Gauteng provincial government's annual carnival takes place.

IT IS that time of the year when the Gauteng provincial government's annual carnival takes place.

The carnival kicks off on June 4 and ends with a bang on Sunday June 6.

A stellar music line-up like no other will headline this year's Gauteng Pale Ya Rona Carnival.

Jonas Gwangwa, Thandiswa Mazwai, Selaelo Selota and rapper Prokid are just a few of the hot artists who will make their way to Mofolo Park in Soweto, where the Carnival will take place.

Gwangwa, Mazwai, Selota and Prokid will join the eclectic sounds of the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra and impassioned sonic grooves of Spanish flamenco music.

Thanks to sponsorship from the Spanish embassy lovers of eclectic musical fusions will enjoy a collaboration between Spanish artists Raimundo Amador, Antonio Rancapino, Tomasito, di Geraldo, Benavent, Pardo, Lin Cortes and home-grown talent Tshepo Mngoma, Bheki Khoza and the Soweto Spiritual Singers.

They will bring a never-heard-before Afroflamengo sound to Soweto. It should make for a truly memorable event.

You can't talk about South African jazz and not mention Gwangwa, one of the most influential creative forces of this genre.

He composed the score for the film Cry Freedom. He also performed the film's Oscar-nominated song at the 60th Annual Academy Awards in 1988.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer Selaelo Selota has established himself as a force in the Afro-jazz and Afro-soul genres.

Mazwai has been hailed as the future of South African music. Rapper Prokid is the creative force that has brought Kasi life to the world.

There will also be acts from Algeria and Brazil. The extravagant celebrations of the Pale Ya Rona Carnival will be followed by the Carnival Music Concert, also at Soweto's Mofolo Park.