South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded on the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, on the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and on the east and northeast by Mozambique and Swaziland, and surrounding the kingdom of Lesotho. South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 56 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. It is the only country that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (white), Asian (Indian), and multiracial (coloured) ancestry.
Links To Peel[]
John Peel's Sipho Bhengu - Ticky Dopies
The first South African artist to do a Top Gear session, in 1967, was the white soul singer Sharon Tandy, who lived in Britain in the '60s and recorded for Atlantic Records. Another white South African active in the British music scene was John Kongos, best-known for his early 1970s hits "Tokoloshe Man" and "He's Gonna Step On You Again" (later covered by the Happy Mondays for the #8 entry in the 1990 Festive Fifty). Before these, Kongos wrote "Will The Real Geraldine Please Stand Up And Be Counted", issued as a single in 1969 by Scrugg, the group he led at the time. It wasn't a hit but made a big enough impression on Peel to be included in his Record Box of treasured records many years later.
In the late '60's, Peel played recordings of the music of the Bantu tribes of South Africa from the BBC Archives on his Night Ride shows. He later recalled that the first African record he played on his shows was 'Tickey Dopies' by South African musician Sipho Bhengu in 1971.[1] In the early 1970s, there were two Top Gear sessions by the jazz big band Brotherhood Of Breath, which was based around a group of exiled South African musicians led by pianist Chris McGregor, and played in a style combining contemporary jazz and South African township music. Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were among the South African artists later featured on his show. By the 80's, many African records Peel played came from South Africa, especially those from the sax-jive genre. Mahlathini and The Mahotella Queens were particular favourites of both Peel and his Radio One colleague Andy Kershaw, who shared his enthusiasm for African music. After the rise of Zimbabwean music in the 80's, Peel played less music from South Africa, although in the mid-90's, Afrikaans Hip Hop from Prophets Of Da City gained significant airplay on his shows.
During the apartheid era in South Africa, Peel supported many anti-apartheid movements, including the imprisoned Nelson Mandela, whose name was included on a record by Special AKA that reached number 41 in the 1984 Festive Fifty. Onyeka The Torch, who were members of SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization), not only fought for the independence of Namibia from apartheid South Africa, which it achieved in 1990, but also released an LP in 1984 as well as a collaboration with Robert Wyatt's Wind Of Change that reached number 47 in the 1985 Festive Fifty. Peel also introduced Queen on Top Of The Pops in 1984 as 'the boys from Sun City', after the band defied the international apartheid ban and played at the infamous 'leisure resort' in South Africa. Peel also attended the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium and wondered aloud, on his show of 07 June 1988, whether artists who had performed at the show knew the significance of the concert and whether they would remember the importance of Nelson Mandela, who was in prison. (The only African artists on the bill were Mahlathini and The Mahotella Queens, which provoked strong criticism of the concert organisers from Andy Kershaw). After Mandela was released from prison in 1990, Peel remarked on his show from 10 July 1997 that Nelson Mandela was 'the one man on earth that I would really like to meet'.
After Peel's death, the pennywhistle tune “Tom Hark” by South African kivela (kwela) group Elias & His Zigzag Jive Flutes was included on The Pig's Big 78s: A Beginner's Guide CD collection. The song had been a UK top five hit in 1958 and was later covered by Peel session band the Piranhas.[2]
Sessions[]
The following artists from South Africa recorded sessions for the John Peel Show:
- Brotherhood Of Breath: (2 sessions, 1971-1972) [1]
- Jabula: (1 session, 1974) [2]
- Mira Calix: (1 session, 2000) [3]
- Prophets Of Da City (1 session, 1995)
- Sharon Tandy (1 session, 1967)
Compilations[]
(Tracks played by Peel from various artist (v/a) compilations featuring music from South Africa. Please add more information if known.)
(LP - Rhythm Of Resistance - Music Of Black South Africa) Virgin
- 09 January 1979: Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Yinhleleni
- 09 January 1979: Mparanyana & the Cannibals: Jesu Otsohile
- 10 January 1979: Mahotella Queens: Igula Lamasi
- 15 January 1979: Johnny And Sipho: Inkunzi Ayi Hlabi Ngokusima
- 16 January 1979: Ladysmith Black Mambazo: ‘Umthombowase Golgota’ or ‘Yinhleleni’
- 17 January 1979: Johnny And Sipho: Inkunzi Ayi Hlabi Ngokusima
- 17 January 1979: Abafana Baseqhudeni: Ubu Gowele
(LP - Soweto) Rough Trade
- Peel June July 1982: Unknown Artist: Nobamba
- 29 July 1982: S. Tshabalala: Ukwenza Kwendoda
- 06 March 1983 (BFBS): New Lucky Boys: Indoda
(LP - Zulu Jive / Umbaqanga) Earthworks
- 11 October 1983: Aaron Mbambo: Salishinini Langa
- 15 October 1983 (BFBS): Aaron Mbambo: Selishonile Ilanga
(2xLP - Soweto Street Music The Definitive Collection) Audiotrax
- 16 October 1984: Umazambane: Imali Impamde Yesono
- 05 May 1987: Zuleliphezulu: Iphenduka
(LP - The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto) Earthworks
- 02 October 1985: Umahlathini Nabo: Qhude Manikiniki
- 23 October 1985: Amaswazi Emvelo: Indoda Yejazi Elimnyama
(LP - Radio Freedom: Voice Of The African National Congress And The People's Army Umkhonto We Sizwe) Rounder Europa
- 23 June 1986: Unknown Artist: Abasakwazi Nokupumula (They Cannot Rest)
- 23 June 1986: Unknown Artist: South Africa Is In A State Of War
(LP - South African Trade Union Worker Choirs) Rounder
- 03 September 1986: K-Team: Siyabonga
- 10 September 1986: D.T.M.B. Choir: Hlanganani
(LP - Iscathamiya: Zulu Worker Choirs In South Africa) Heritage
- 21 April 1987: Xolo Home Boys: Buya Afrika (Come Back Africa!)
- 22 April 1987: GMC Good Boys: Walala Uphenduka Njengesangoma (You Are Inconsistent Like A Witchdoctor)
(LP - Thunder Before Dawn; The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Volume Two) Earthworks
- 21 January 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops
- 03 November 1987: Amaswazi Emvelo and Mahlathini: Utshwala Begazati (Shared Beer)
- 07 November 1987 (Radio Bremen): Abafakasi: Wakwami (My Wife, My Love)
- 11 November 1987: Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo: Kwa Volondiya (In Volondiya)
- 17 November 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops
- 24 November 1987: Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo: Thuto Ke Senotlolo (Education Is The Key)
- 30 November 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops
- 08 December 1987: Amaswazi Emvelo: Jabula Mfana (Be Happy Friend)
(LP - Homeland A Collection Of Black South African Music) Greensleeves / Rounder
- 23 March 1988: Manka Le Phallang: Ea Nyoloha Khanyapa
- 29 March 1988: Elias Mathebula & The Chivani Sisters: Ntlela A Tingängeni
- 05 April 1988: Dilika: Ngayishela Yavuma
- 20 July 1988: Manka Le Phallang: Ea Nyoloha Khanyapa
(LP - The Heartbeat Of Soweto) Shanachie
- 10 August 1988: Thomas Chauke And The Shinyori Sisters: Nwana Wamina
- 23 August 1988: Armando Bila Chijumane: Kamakhalawana
- 25 August 1988 (BBC World Service): Armando Bila Chijumane: Kamakhalawana
- 28 September 1988: MD Shirinda & Family: Nsati Wa Wina
- 25 October 1988: Mlokothawa: Yithinamhlanje
(LP - Freedom Fire - The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Vol. 3) Earthworks
- 02 April 1990: Ubkunzi Emdaka: Ikhaya Lami
- 09 April 1990: Mahotella Queens: Masole A Banana
(LP - Township)
Seven Mabone
- 25 September 1990: Spokes Mashiyane: Manyatele
- 27 September 1990: Hamilton Nzimande: Mangena Special
- 06 October 1990 (BFBS): Harry Mathaba: Phata Phata No.2
- 21 October 1990: Jerry Mhlanga: Obhokweni
- 03 November 1990 (BFBS): West Nkosi & Rupert Bopape: Steven Mabone
- Songs From The Frontline Vol.2: Hamilton Nzimande: Badilize
(LP - Bringing It Down - South African Sax Jive)
- 30 September 1990: L.Pelo: Permit
(LP - The Kings And Queens Of Township Jive (Modern Roots Of The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto)) Earthworks
- 10 November 1990: West Nkosi: Marabi Bell 800
- 17 November 1990: Abafana Baseqhudeni: Mubi Umakhelwane
- 18 November 1990: Mbazo: Okwami Okwezandla
- 24 November 1990: West Nkosi: Chillis 500
(LP - Transkei Special)
- 01 December 1990: Jonhjon Mkhalali: Qamata Great Palace
- 08 December 1990: Eugene Mthethwa: Intswela Boya
(CD - Jive Nation - The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Vol 5) Earthworks
- 27 January 1996: John Maluleke & Rotterdam Sisters: Loko Ni Ehleketa Chiawelo
- 13 February 1996 (Radio Mafia): John Maluleke & Rotterdam Sisters: Loko Ni Ehleketa Chiawelo
- 17 February 1996: Makhubela & Nkhohlwani Girls: U Nga Khomi
- 09 March 1996: West Nkosi: Majava Java
- 29 March 1996: Colenso Abafana Benkokhelo: Hawui Khuzanimadoda
(CD - Kwaito - South African Hip Hop) Earthworks
- 02 August 2002 (BBC World Service): Boom Shaka: Nkosi Sikelela
(CD - Mzansi Music: Young Urban South Africa) Trikont
- 14 April 2004: Zola: Mdlewembe
- 27 April 2004: Skwatta Kamp: Umova