South Africa has arguably one of the most beautiful natural landscapes with varied wildlife, conducive climate, and vast wealth in the form of diamond, gold, copper, and other mineral resources. For this reasons, the tenacity of white rule in S/Africa is unparalleled on the continent and required great deal of violence/pressure to bring an end to apartheid and release of Nelson Mandela.
In the musical arena, South Africa has given us some of the most memorable voices from the African continent-the soaring, passionate alto of Miriam Makeba, the purr and pounce of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the amazing sub-bass groaning of Mahlathini and many others. Such vocal virtuosity is not surprising coming from a land where Zulus, Xhosas and Sothos have for centuries celebrated life's large and small moments with song.
South Africa has a developing recording industry dating back to 1912, when Eric Gallo established first commercial recordings. African American jazz and blues had a major influence on the music scene. But away from the studios,rural musicians in Zulu, Sotho, Pedi and Shangaan ethnic enclaves create lively social music. The Zulu's distinctive finger-style guitar playing, known as ukupika popularized by John Bhengu, Moses Mchunu, Sipho Mchunu and Kati Elimnyama. Then there is Zulu traditional pop, or maskanda popularized by Bheki Ngobo (Ihashi Elimhlope) and Phuzekhemisi in the 90's. Then you have Busi Mhlongo, who fused the traditional zulu sound with hip hop and house to produce kwaito. The pedi ethnic group play the harepa style with an autoharp. Shangaan groups come from the Northern Transkei region that borders Mozambique, once a Portuguese colony, and the proximity provides latin flavor to the music.
National & International High Definition Listening (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) or Browse past shows in our Archives for a week at http://archive.wort-fm.org/. Stay tune every Saturdays 2-4 pm Central Time
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Linda Vakunta (Dj Linda) & Alhaji N'jai
PanAfrica Show (Saturdays 2-4 pm CST)
WORT 89.9 FM Madison
Wisconsin, USA
Ph: (608)-256-2001
Email: panafrica.music@gmail.com
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