CD ReviewArtist: Simphiwe Dana Album: The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street (Gallo)
From rural Eastern Cape comes a haunting voice that stays with you after listening to it. Simphiwe Dana is back with a second offering, “The one love movement on bantu biko street”. The first of her 12 songs – “sizophum’ elokishini” – talks of the life in the township in a simplicity of language which strikes you.All the songs are in isi-Xhosa, her mother tongue, and the mellow flow of instruments digs and draws your mind for attention. Even if you can’t understand the words, you can feel the flow of music in your heart.In track five “Iliwa Lam”, Dana’s beautiful lyrics – accompanied by the piano of Keiko Matsui – lift one’s spirit to high grounds … Ezinzuwlini zobusuku/Xa lufik’uloyiko lwam/ Uyandinika amandla. (In the dead of the night/When my fears come to devour me/You give me strength). Her songs are thought provoking. Ihilihili, track nine, has a traditional rhythm that will not fail you – it will inspire with its soothing words. The one song that stands out is umthandazo wase afrika part 2 – naphakade. Translated, it means Prayer for Africa part 2 – forever. The last track on the CD, it is gentle, emotional and spiritually uplifting.Artists involved in this breathtaking album include Bheki Khoza (producer and guitar), Feya Faku (trumpet), Keiko Matsui (piano), Sylvester Mazinyane (keyboard).The heavy beat of drums, the wailing of piano, the calling of the flute and chanting of the bass – fused with the honest voice of Dana – catches you unguarded. All the songs are jazzy, traditional and are spiritual healers. If you are a collector of good music, this CD is a classic, get it.Reviewed by Ayanda Billie
Going back to our roots!Peter Thobejane
In the late ’70s we used to know the names for January and December in our own language and their meanings.Slowly our traditional way of life has been washed away by transition and transformation.Ninety per cent of our children do not know the meanings of the months in our language. What does that mean with regard to our traditions and culture? Are they still relevant or do we surrender them and outsource them to the western system.Talking to those who passed matric in the early ’90s many said there is no word for December in our mother tongue. They only know the meaning of February 14 as Valentine’s Day and August 9 as Women’s Day!So read below and learn the names and meanings of the months!February – Dibokoane (small worms/caterpillars) When the worms (caterpillars) are trying to destroy the grazing which is ready to be ploughed.October – Diphalane (small impalas) This month most of the impalas are starting to give birth.November – Dibatsela (it’s raining and streams are full of water). All the roads are looking homewards in different directions.December – Manthole This is one of the most important months. It means a lot culturally, socially, economically, politically and in business. We have invested for 12 months now we need to get investment returns. Children went to school, their parents need them to produce progress reports. Workers went to mines and factories. They must produce the results of what they have done for 12 months to their parents or partners.Business must check their profits.Put simply, “Mother, I have a burden of luggage on my head. Please assist me to take it down for you to see what I have brought back for the family.”After that you must arrange an extended family gathering where you thank those who were behind you for the whole 12 months and request them to give you support in the coming year.Tlogelang ditaola le bana le seye tsona badimong. Bible ere tlogelang bana batle gonna gobane mmuso wamagodimo ke wo bana. Ekama le Nkosi. Let’s teach our children who we are!
Northern Sotho
English
Pherekgong
January
Dibokoane
February
Hlakula
March
Moranang
April
Mopitlo
May
Phuphu
June
Mosegamanye
July
Phato
August
Lewedi
September
Diphalane
October
Dibatsela
November
Manthole
December
AfricaYingwani Mashaba
Africa – my AfricaI am Africa – I am an AfricanDense and authentic cultures in harmonyBefore colonialism planted its seed ofHate and mistrust.
Ancestors never-pleased treasuresLooted out of our shoresThe name Garvey imbued memories of freedomNkrumah hated dependency syndrome thus branded a villainPrimitive my culture that made Pablo PicassoAnd Henry Moore great masters of the artsYet Africa not inducted in the Hall of Fame
Primitive Africa! Maphungubwe was a centre of world businessI am a descendant of this rich culture that madeSolomon Linda’s Mbube a hit on foreign soilCivilized were the powers-that-beFor the justification of slavery to existOn the face of the earth.
Civilized they legitimize barbarous actsEquating fellow beings to sub-humansAfrica! Indulge in your hard-earned libertyIn celebration, we will blow our horns!
In festivity we will strum our drums Sounding victory over evilIn moments of ecstasy, we will burn Incense in evocation of ancestral spiritsTill slavery rust in piece – yes in pieces!