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Selected and mixed by Robert Machiri
This piece presents various operators of the liberation struggle, across countries and movements, through a mix that brings together speech, music and struggle song. Maybe an attempt at presenting a cacophony of political vocalisations.
Reproducing the sound of the liberation struggle in southern Africa as a totality of voices and music produced by militants across the region and beyond. As an attempt to expand on the “struggle song” beyond the chronological markers of political freedom or independence of southern African states; thus approaching southern Africa as a borderless zone – beyond the borders installed by colonisation and reinforced by political independence of the various states.
I have punctuated these sound bites with Abdullah’s live piano solo recording of 1982, ‘South African Sunshine’ recorded live in Germany. It comes in an out, in fact it’s the soundtrack of the piece.
Other excerpts include:
Thomas Mapfumo’s Kupera Kwevanhu (On war in Mozambique) from ‘Varombo kuVarombo’ (1989);
Soweto’s Children from Jabula’s ‘Africa Awake’ (1978) – a banned record in South Africa;
Narration by John Matshikiza on exiles;
The title song from the album Soweto (1986) by Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles;
Makorokoto (Congratulations) by The Four Brothers, from ‘Viva Zimbabwe’ (1983), a compilation of Zim Dance vibes;
Miriam Makeba’s Jol’inkomo from All about Miriam: Miriam Makeba Sings Love Songs, Folk Songs, Sad Songs (1966);
Uyo Ndiyani from ‘Ingalo’ (1982) by Dorothy Masuka And Job’s Combination;
Liberation fighter in interviews and radio splices featuring Tongogara (Zanu PF/ZANLA Military chief) (main voice) and Edgar Tekere (ZANLA);
Oliver Tambo announcing The Year Of The Women from the album ‘Radio Freedom: The Voice Of The African National Congress And The People’s Army Umkhonto Wesizwe’ (1985);
Liberation Songs sung by ZAPU Military wing ZIPRA and ZANU Military wing ZANLA;
Lead us Tambo by Amandla – African National Congress Cultural Group, directed by Jonas Gwangwa, off their self-titled album of 1982;
Stimela, from an ‘ILAM: The Sound Of Africa Series’ record with unknown Xhosa Voices