Dancing to the BEAT OF AFRICA
This year marks a decade since the death of former South African president and icon Nelson Mandela. Yet his words about African music and vision for the continent live on through today’s musicians. We get to know some of them here.
words: Karishma Thakurdin
“ THE CURIOUS BEAUTY OF AFRICAN MUSIC IS THAT IT UPLIFTS EVEN AS IT TELLS A SAD TALE. YOU MAY BE POOR, YOU MAY HAVE ONLY A RAMSHACKLE HOUSE, YOU MAY HAVE LOST YOUR JOB, BUT THAT SONG GIVES YOU HOPE.”
– NELSON MANDELA
Dance, music, and a rich, melting pot of cultures run in the blood of Africans. So, it was only a matter of time before the entire world also recognised this.
Since the beginning of time, music has been used as a way of storytelling.
In the 80s and early 90s, musicians used the power of their talent to bring hope in times of darkness and to unite against social injustices. From Nigeria’s Fela Kuti whose songs criticised Nigeria’s oppressive military regime to Johnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela, and Miriam Makeba who made history with their protest songs against the apartheid regime in South Africa – musicians have played a pivotal part in shaping Africa’s development.