music

The history of house music in South Africa

South Africans identify very strongly with house music. More than just a genre, it’s a lifestyle with its own special definition.

By Goitsemang Nkomo - 14 July 2010 - Audio

Vuvuzela orchestra

A South African soccer game would be incomplete without the vuvuzela, a brightly coloured plastic trumpet which sounds like an elephant’s call. Many fans hate the instrument’s noise, but the vuvuzela orchestra proves that the instrument can also make great music.

By Anna-Marie Jansen van Vuuren - 30 June 2010 - Audio, Fans, fun and football

Mbira Musician

The sounds of the Mbira, an African instrument made famous in Zimbabwe, entertain shoppers and tackles social issues such as xenophobia and migration.

By Davison Mudzingwa - 29 June 2010 - Audio

Ghanaian Hip-life

Hip-life is the name for the music that pours out of nightclubs and bars throughout Ghana, and has been touted by some as the genre set to take the place of the nation’s celebrated high-life music. But not all Ghanaians are thrilled with the growing popularity of the mixture of high-life and American rap that characterizes hip-life; the older generation believes that their cultural heritage is being destroyed.

By Francis Kokutse - 19 June 2010 - Text

A Musician’s Dream

The FIFA World Cup is a source of excitement for many, but it is not just soccer players and fans who are anticipating the event, 24-year-old Zimbabwean musician, Zanele Ndlovu, is about to experience her dream coming true.

By Limukani Ncube - 21 May 2010 - Text

Talking drums

Drums have deep roots in the history of Ghana and are believed will bring luck to their national team. Dressed in colorful dresses, drummers play celebration melodies for the whole 90 minutes which helps players be in full confidence to win.

By Tadele Assefa - 8 April 2010 - Text