From 18 May 2021
Local is Lekka
Any song that is performed by a wholly South African band or local artist or artists.
Sue
Johnny Clegg & Savuka – Scatterlings of Africa
Johnnie Clegg, often referred to as the white Zulu, was a musician, humanitarian, anthropologist, and the list goes on. To see him in live performance was an experience never to be forgotten. He was acclaimed by all who saw and heard him perform in SA and overseas. Google his story and you will find a true man of Africa born before his time. A sad loss to music and mankind. This song is one of my favourites and Sarah danced in one of his performances at the JHB Theatre.
Arno
Bernice West – Sonop-Blom
Wilfred
Joy – Paradise Road, 1980
When researching this song, I got so carried away with Yo-Landi Visser and Ninja that I nearly chose one of Die Antwoord’s songs.
But, alas, they are performing artists with content that shakes you to the core. So instead, I am going with something as significant, but that can be played at family gatherings.
Here is Joy with Paradise Road from 1980.
As the words clearly state “There are better days before us, and a burning bridge behind”.
So hard not to set fire to our trail 😂
Karen
The Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa sing RESOLUTION SONG 🇿🇦
The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa, by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, and producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Cliff Hocking in 2002. The more than 30-member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae and American popular music.
Deborah
Coenie de Villiers & Francois van Coke – Hillbrow
Most of you know how much I loved Johannes Kerkorrel (it seems I might have a thing for Afrikaans boys 🥰) so I felt that I had to play one of his songs for this theme.
This is a version of his most beautiful and evocative song “Hillbrow” – performed by Coenie de Villiers & Francois van Coke.
Sarah
Drive (Radio Edit) (feat. Delilah Montagu) – David Guetta & Black Coffee
Lynda
Spoegwolf – Winter
My song tonight is by Spoegwolf, a local alternative/indie band formed in Feb 2012. ‘Winter’ was released in 2017. Enjoy
Liezel
Black Coffee – Wish You Were Here feat. Msaki
You all know how torn I was to share my song with you. I decided to go with an artist not as well known to the group as opposed to a classic.
Black Coffee is a South African DJ that has made it into the international market with some of the better known names such as David Guetta.
In this song, he partners with East London (South Africa) vocalist Msaki.
Not only do I love the poetry of this song, but love the video which shows true South African culture in the heart of our people, a side I know only partially. Deborah, it’s like taking a stroll down one of our rich African heritage stories.
I hope you enjoy.
I’ve included the lyrics so that you can enjoy the Poetry
The tags on the city walls
The color, the fight
Ambition so tall
Remind me of you
The frost in the morning
The steel birds and flies
The river ’til dawn
Reminds me of you
You hold your cards so close to your chest
That I give up the question no more
I let you unfold
I wanted to write you a letter or two
But the words wouldn’t stay on the page
Oh, cling to an age
(I wish you were here
Wish you were here, wish you were here
I wish you were here
Wish you were here, wish you were here
I wish you were here
Wish you were here, wish you were here)
The first dawn of spring time
A season so new
I will think of you
I will hope for you
The risk in your countenance
The sun in your eyes
Well, I dream of you
My dreams are of you
If art is the question that made us look twice
Of all that is building inside
What would you say?
Chrisna
Matthew Mole – Run
Singer/songwriter, Matthew Mole, made South African chart history by becoming the first local artist to enter the iTunes album chart at number one with his debut album, The Home We Built.
Media reports said the 21-year-old from Fish Hoek, Cape Town beat international superstars Jay Z, The Rolling Stones, Michael Buble and Robin Thicke, local DJ/producer DJ Kent as well as the world’s biggest compilation series NOW That’s What I Call Music to top the chart.
Errol
Laurika Rauch – My Ou Tante Koba
Growing up in the 50s and 60s was without everything we take for granted today – hifi, wifi, internet, cellular, order-in foods, supermarket stores – the list goes on and on. But just about every family knew someone who was a great cook and baker, could take charge, get work done, organise, and entertain. If you were lucky enough, that person was your Mom. Or maybe an Aunt, or maybe even ‘een van die tannies by die kerk’ (one of the ‘aunties’ at the church). And people said ‘no one makes sausage rolls like Tannie Hettie’ or ‘if you go the church fete, you must buy some of Aunty Marie’s koeksisters’. Those were wonderful, much simpler days, and when I remember them (like tonight) it’s with a tear in my eye.
My song tonight salutes one of the great in Afrikaans music, Laurike Rauch, with a song about one of these wonderfully talented and competent woman of a bygone era. My Ou Tante Koba (My old aunt Koba). – enjoy!
Richard
Mango Groove-Special Star
This song is dedicated to the buskers and especially the penny whistle groups that brought so much colour and character to JHB when I was a boy. It is people like Claire Johnston of Mango Groove that popularized African music.