Music and apartheid in South Africa

Some prominent South African musicians discuss the role of music and theatre in publicising black consciousness and anti-apartheid movements in their homeland. There are excellent performances of Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika by Family Factory and the Soweto String Quartet, and excerpts of interviews with Hugh Masekela, Michael Masote and others.

Between 1948 and 1991, South Africa was a nation of diverse ethnicities and tribal groups, however a stringent series of laws and regulations - collectively referred to as apartheid - kept whites in positions of political power and economic affluence, while black South Africans were denied voting rights, political activism, education, freedom of movement and association. One of the reasons that apartheid was so effective and long-lasting was that it suppressed resistance and ideology and exploited divisions amongst the native Africans themselves. Music, dance, theatre and other cultural expressions played a pivotal role in uniting Africans and the world against apartheid and inspiring hope that it could and would be overcome. Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika, a song with a beautiful melody and peaceful and uplifting lyrics, became the best known songs of the anti-apartheid movement - and those who sang it in public were liable to be persecuted or arrested. It now constitutes the first part of South Africa's national anthem, along with an excerpt of the 'old' Afrikaans anthem The Call of South Africa, and some newly-devised English lyrics.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
• South Africa
• apartheid
• Hugh Masekela
• anti-apartheid
• The Call of South Africa
• Family Factory

[bobthemage]

We fought against Apartheid 18 years ago with Zulu and Xhosa gospels in Germany, France and Luxembourg (all in Europe) Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika was and is still the ending of every concert we do

Bob soloist of the "GospelChor Saarbruecken!

[musicinhistory]

Nice to hear from you Bob, would love to hear your choir performing.

[marquezxy]

@Mashashadu

'Manenberg' was written by Basil Coetzee, made famous by Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand). Mr Coetzee gets too little love, he decided to stick it out in South Africa (a move might've been good for his career considering the circumstances).

[Mashashadu]

@imhotep1 : the song is Manneburg by Dollar Brand ( he also goes by Abdullah Ibrahim )

[msfunkychiken]

That's like me saying white guys can't play the sax...and I knw a white guy that KILLs it on the SAX!!

[Garyvdm]

The story of how he had to play for the police for his freedom made me cry... ;-(

[factoriadecontenidos]

I need this video whit letters in spanish, anybody can help me??

[imhotep1]

What song is the Amandla group stepping to?