South Africa Arts & Crafts

South African Music

The sub-divisions within the South African music industry are enormous, and commence, as with everything else in South Africa, along the basic sub-divisions of race.

South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth family, a stem from the root of European colonial expansion, and as a consequence the nation is closely aligned with others such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and more distantly, the United States. What differs in the case of South Africa is that the indigenous races did not succumb to the genocide of alcohol, displacement, disease and social engineering as they did eslewhere. Therefore the white tribe of South Africa was forced to share it’s cultural landscape with blacks, reluctantly initially, but more generously as time went on, until today it is more a case of blacks sharing their cultural landscape with whites, and that, as many would agree, is as it should be.

Diversity of Styles

The result has been the growth of a wonderful mélange of different sounds and rhythms, of expressions, sentiments, styles and methods that are replicated nowhere else on earth.

The basic categories of black, white, Asian and coloured music have over the years splintered and diversified, with each at times lending and borrowing from the other, resulting in a multitude of overlapping influences.

This has thrown up some very peculiar concepts, such as the irrepressible 1970s musical Ipi Tombi, the Soweto String Quartet, Juluka, the Drakensberg Boys Choir, and such Afro jazz giants as Hugh Masekela, Dollar Brand and Kippie Moeketsi.

Date: June 21st, 2008 | 3 comments

Ladysmith Black Mombazo

This all male harmonic choir is South Africa’s biggest musical export. Their distinctive melancholy sound pulls hard at the heart strings of South Africans everywhere. Perhaps a homesick Safrican will hear this somewhere and decide to come back home.

It was formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, who still heads up the group. They shot to international fame on Paul Simon’s album Graceland, and have won a number of Grammy’s since in their own right and 12 nominations in total (2 for their new album “Long walk to freedom….

Date: August 6th, 2007 | No Comments

Maynardville: Romeo and Juliet, best way to ruin a good picnic!

The annual Shakespeare production at Maynardville is a traditional calendar highlight in Cape Town. An open air setting, in a park, by a lake, with a picnic, at sunset…Sounds lovely no?

Not if Director Fred Abrahamse has anything to do with it! Managing to pervert a tale of sweetness and innocence into a lewd string of sexual innuendo, locate the least lovable and capable actors in the fold (universe) to play the leading roles and dress them up as drag queens. Nice work buddy!

Date: February 5th, 2007 | No Comments

WITW Neighbour goods market - Woodstock, Cape Town.

Cape Town is dotted with markets. Most with curios, antiques, clothing and the obligatory “yellow food” array.

For something a little different, WITW (What If The World), have initiated an organic food, crafts and design market in what was the old biscuit factory in Woodstock.

One can find incredible artisinal breads and locally produced premium olives, amongst all sorts of wonderfull fresh fruits and vegetables. More than 50 stands of produce in all. It is only open on Saturdays and has a huge following of Jamie Oliver and “knit your own yoghurt” types on Vespa’s and unicycles.

Date: November 30th, 2006 | No Comments

Capture South Africa’s Rainbow of Colours with Mandela Park Mosaics

Hout Bay’s township of Imizamo Yethu houses one of the brightest African craft projects around: Mandela Park Mosaics, founded in 1999 and today a supplier of all manner of glittering, hand-made artefacts, from African-themed vases to Matisse-inspired wall installations.

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Mosaic Vase

Date: July 27th, 2006 | No Comments