Stellenbosch University
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SU Museum hosts a conversation on the role of struggle songs
Author: Rozanne Engel - Corporate Communications / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie
Published: 24/05/2018


“Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika" (Lord Bless Africa), “Ndodemnyama" (Beware, Verwoerd!) and “Sikakela Izwe Lakithi" (We Protest for Our Land) are but a few iconic struggle songs that have been sung during the fight against apartheid in South Africa. In contemporary South Africa, struggle songs have become the background music to all social justice movements and protests and still play an important role in mobilising, building morale and creating a sense of unity among those who are fighting for a particular cause.

To celebrate Freedom Day and shed some insight on the role and importance of these songs, the Stellenbosch University (SU) Museum, in partnership with the SU Transformation Office and the Robben Island Museum, hosted a conversation entitled “The role of struggle songs in the attainment of our freedom."

One of the key speakers at the event was Muntu Nxumalo, ex-political prisoner on Robben Island and musician, who has played an integral part in the creation of some of the country's most iconic struggle songs. During the event, Nxumalo emphasised the importance of understanding the meaning and significance of struggle songs.

“Struggle songs are a form of music that you shall never forget. This is a special kind of music reminding us where we come from, where we are today and where we are going. A lot of the songs that are still being sung today during protests played an important part in fighting against apartheid and haves a very special meaning when you look at what freedom really means."

Arrested in 1978 by the then apartheid state, Nxumalo was sentenced to 22 years at Robben Island Prison. He was released from prison in 1991. Nxumalo later became a director in the Correctional Service Department and, until his retirement recently, was the director of the Robben Island Project, a community outreach programme, where he worked for over 15 years.

Displaying his musical talent, Nxumalo gave those attending the conversation a taste of some of the struggle songs by playing his guitar, singing and even teaching the audience some of the songs, persuading people to join his performance.

One of the other speakers at the event was Lwazi Pakade, a Political Science student at SU and one of the former leaders of the Open Stellenbosch and #FeesMustFall movements. He reiterated Nxumalo's sentiments, in that the true meaning and significance of struggle songs should never be forgotten. He also expressed the sentiment that those who use struggle songs today should understand the origins and intended use of these songs.

“Struggle songs touch people differently. The culture of singing and dance has always been an intrinsic part of Africa. Our people sing to express grief, happiness or disagreement with towards the government. Struggle songs have helped us mobilise people, share an identity and articulate a particular message in different contexts," says Pakade.

While Nxumalo and Pakade expressed the importance of struggle songs, Masego Mafata, a second-year BA International Studies student at SU, shared her gratitude towards Nxumalo for his fight against apartheid and sharing his wisdom on the importance of struggle songs in South Africa.

“I've been privileged enough to be born into a free South Africa, and it is people like Baba Nxumalo and student leaders like Pakade who have helped give this new generation of students better opportunities at tertiary institutions and reminded us of how far we've come."

Mafata further says that her generation should never sing struggle songs out of context. She believes that these songs should be sung with sincerity and the cognisance of the meaning and origins behind them. “Struggle songs carry a wealth of emotion, being pain, hope or victory. Music has always been the fruit of life. Music is the fruit that one bears when one can no longer articulate what one is feeling into speech, and the struggle songs we have come to know help people articulate those feelings," says Mafata.

Watch the full conversation here:

 

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Photo from left: Muntu Nxumalo , Lwazi Pakade , Masego Mafata.