Kokat claims that my reference to "white fools" in the post Gatvol of the power plays in the SA music industry is offensive. I cannot change this view, except to say that Kokat's mention of being human is endearing because I am also human. When however Kokat suggests that there are "good people in the music industry who are black brown and even white" and alleges that I am "racist", I hear the reverb of alarms and sirens zinging in my brain.
In one fell swoop Kokat erases our history and sends it packing because the democratic project will not tolerate such talk. Quite frankly I cannot care what the democratic project tolerates because I had no hand in its crafting. What I do know however is that apartheid forced Makeba into exile and in the process made sure an entire generation of willing ears, hearts and minds would never get the opporunity to see her perform live on stage. The recent cancellation of the Makeba Tribute Concert by Gilfillan also, in my opinion, demonstrates that for men such as Gilfillan apartheid was not enough and indeed it lives on.
In 2009 Gilfillan saw fit to silence the musical icon, even in her death. I have said this before and I should repeat, Gilfillan is a white South African man who has benefitted from apartheid. Let's be clear about this and let us also be clear that, like all white South Africans, Gilfillan's family profited from the spoils of apartheid.
The actions and behaviour issued by the ilk of Gilfillan continue to wreak havoc as they brutalise to no end, seeping into our every thought and suppressing our expression. We should also remember that the pathogenic nature of apartheid - as with all diseases - manages to perpetuate itself. No year called 1994 will stop this. It seeks out every nook and turns to every available cranny. In short, apartheid lives in the DNA of the RSA and the energy upon which this DNA relies reveals itself as Racism.
Reportedly Gilfillan has a hand in the Makeba Trust and with such authority available to him was able to block the staging of the tribute concert. The idea was for us - the public - to witness a musical eulogy. We were supposed to pay our respects as the public in a public space. Does it not concern one that one man has such control and power over what belongs to us all? What is also disconcerting is that this same man wields influence over the concerned musicians petition presently lead by mthethwa and mzwakhe.
Probably most damning is that we will never get to hear this tribute, unless ofcourse this Gilfillan dude gets some cash. Just the thought of it all takes me back, back, way, way back and then comes crashing into this reality. As to whether I am being a racist when talking about a "white fool" I'd like to clarify that it is impossible for me to be racist because white-apartheid-supremacy created the black in me. And, as in the case with lovey-dovey democracy, I had no hand in crafting that.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Does mthethwa have a social movement recipe for the SA music industry?
the debate between mthethwa and motsatse on the radio earlier frustrates to no end. both men came across as defensive and ignored the presence of the "real" enemy: transnational corporations!
in defence of the apartheid construct - samro - motsatse (although winning the legal arguments) found himself on the backfoot in the social reality. maybe he should start by placing boardroom portraits in the archive now; unless ofcourse its intention is to present a stark reminder of a bygone era , simultaneously emphasising that indeed apartheid is alive and well? i don't know. what i was more interested in was the petition mthethwa talked about.
how the petition with its 500 names will translate into any real changes for musicians remains to be seen. is this the beginning of a social movement in the music industry; will it employ similar principles to struggles waged by land, electricity, water social movements. will mthethwa draw on APF and LPM strategies? presently mthethwa - as the BMG puppet - lacks legitimacy and many musicians question his motives.
at the same time the ANC and COSATU have always been hostile in their response to the hard work carried out by social movements. so one is not sure how JZ will react to mthethwa's goals. having said that, it also becomes clear that mthethwa seeks gains politically, but some of his methods lack clarity in their articulation; and an already fragmented industry, once again, runs the risk of further fragmentation . this would be scoffed at by some and most definitely cause a giggle among those who sit with powers that dictate our music consumption.
arguably transnational corporations are interested in seeing samro's end, but at the same time the likes of mthethwa need the samro institution. one so wishes that the two men could come to an agreement and work out a way that identifies the "real" enemy as it were! When answering "who is at the root of this division" the spotlight falls on major record companies. These companies are the ones that ultimately benefit from our division. They are the very same companies that thrive on misrepresenting us . let us remember their interests lie in fat bank accounts located far away from these african shores.
.
in defence of the apartheid construct - samro - motsatse (although winning the legal arguments) found himself on the backfoot in the social reality. maybe he should start by placing boardroom portraits in the archive now; unless ofcourse its intention is to present a stark reminder of a bygone era , simultaneously emphasising that indeed apartheid is alive and well? i don't know. what i was more interested in was the petition mthethwa talked about.
how the petition with its 500 names will translate into any real changes for musicians remains to be seen. is this the beginning of a social movement in the music industry; will it employ similar principles to struggles waged by land, electricity, water social movements. will mthethwa draw on APF and LPM strategies? presently mthethwa - as the BMG puppet - lacks legitimacy and many musicians question his motives.
at the same time the ANC and COSATU have always been hostile in their response to the hard work carried out by social movements. so one is not sure how JZ will react to mthethwa's goals. having said that, it also becomes clear that mthethwa seeks gains politically, but some of his methods lack clarity in their articulation; and an already fragmented industry, once again, runs the risk of further fragmentation . this would be scoffed at by some and most definitely cause a giggle among those who sit with powers that dictate our music consumption.
arguably transnational corporations are interested in seeing samro's end, but at the same time the likes of mthethwa need the samro institution. one so wishes that the two men could come to an agreement and work out a way that identifies the "real" enemy as it were! When answering "who is at the root of this division" the spotlight falls on major record companies. These companies are the ones that ultimately benefit from our division. They are the very same companies that thrive on misrepresenting us . let us remember their interests lie in fat bank accounts located far away from these african shores.
.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Exposing the fault lines in SA music industry: identifying the puppets and their masters
So bruising are the deep seated animosities among "leaders" of the South African music industry that at no stage - and caught up in their venomous egos and rage - do they sit back, observe and take stock of how their word-actions impact the lives of so many people.
Don't get me wrong. As artists we experience shit daily, but we consistently work out ways to engage the status quo and call into question the silly decisions and ignorance of past and present ministers of arts and culture. We never lose focus of what it is we dream and how to achieve this.
Disturbing is that all the recent bleating (and I use the word bleating deliberately) in music industry forums in print, electronic and web media emanates from persons supported by transnational corporations. These corporations, historically, employ indigenous voices to sow seeds of division, to do their dirty work as it were.
Once again, the spectre of racist-imperialism rears its deformed head and we become their mouthpieces. Eugene Mthethwa is a case in point. Unlike his ancestors, he repeatedly fails to be the generous chief, instead opting for a position as a sycophantic lapdog of bogus capitalism ala Keith Lister. Is it true you now have offices inside Sony BMG?
You used to contribute to organisations controlled by black people, that are supported by the ANC government. And on leaving these (for whatever reason) you now present spurious notions about the black man, his condition and poverty. What the hell are you talking about, you puppet?!
Let us remind ourselves that only ourselves can free ourselves from slavery. No amount of money can afford freedom because such freedom is founded on consciousness, evolves through consciousness and never compromises the tenets of human respect, dignity and reciprocity. Voetsek wena!
As for Gilfillan, your other puppet master - really! Lurking at the rear end of marches and culture, the man is drunk with power. But the jury, comprising a peoples' legacy, has pronounced that this white man is messed up. Ask Freddy from SARA, Lance at Ghetto Ruff, Makeba's people, the late Ma Brr, Masekela, the late Lebo .. the list is endless.
From a wealthy family Gilfillan believes he knows best and the working poor know vokol according to him. He pounces on the most ignorant, the young. He makes promises to the vulnerable, the elederly. He screams what appears as popular. He converts the poor to his NISA shrine and claims to be their prophet. Please. Gilfillan equals destruction.
To him we say that to build is difficult within families and all sorts of institutions. In Africa this task is made harder because we have minimal resources available to us. In most instances we have ourselves only - no money, only creativity and passion. Who are you to destroy the little that we have.
Who are you, this being without loyalty, this energy without compassion, this man without respect, who are you? Like all racist-capitalist you, undoubtedly, represent a rich, white South African man who uses the desperate circumstance and condition of black people to fight your battles.
By constantly seeking to destroy any possibilities of black institutional identity, that are free from the abuse of the angry downpressors , you risk isolation. Gilfillan, Apartheid got your shit right and you are well aware of what happened to that regime.
It is therefore not a threat, it is a fact... when the people are gatvol, the people rise!
Don't get me wrong. As artists we experience shit daily, but we consistently work out ways to engage the status quo and call into question the silly decisions and ignorance of past and present ministers of arts and culture. We never lose focus of what it is we dream and how to achieve this.
Disturbing is that all the recent bleating (and I use the word bleating deliberately) in music industry forums in print, electronic and web media emanates from persons supported by transnational corporations. These corporations, historically, employ indigenous voices to sow seeds of division, to do their dirty work as it were.
Once again, the spectre of racist-imperialism rears its deformed head and we become their mouthpieces. Eugene Mthethwa is a case in point. Unlike his ancestors, he repeatedly fails to be the generous chief, instead opting for a position as a sycophantic lapdog of bogus capitalism ala Keith Lister. Is it true you now have offices inside Sony BMG?
You used to contribute to organisations controlled by black people, that are supported by the ANC government. And on leaving these (for whatever reason) you now present spurious notions about the black man, his condition and poverty. What the hell are you talking about, you puppet?!
Let us remind ourselves that only ourselves can free ourselves from slavery. No amount of money can afford freedom because such freedom is founded on consciousness, evolves through consciousness and never compromises the tenets of human respect, dignity and reciprocity. Voetsek wena!
As for Gilfillan, your other puppet master - really! Lurking at the rear end of marches and culture, the man is drunk with power. But the jury, comprising a peoples' legacy, has pronounced that this white man is messed up. Ask Freddy from SARA, Lance at Ghetto Ruff, Makeba's people, the late Ma Brr, Masekela, the late Lebo .. the list is endless.
From a wealthy family Gilfillan believes he knows best and the working poor know vokol according to him. He pounces on the most ignorant, the young. He makes promises to the vulnerable, the elederly. He screams what appears as popular. He converts the poor to his NISA shrine and claims to be their prophet. Please. Gilfillan equals destruction.
To him we say that to build is difficult within families and all sorts of institutions. In Africa this task is made harder because we have minimal resources available to us. In most instances we have ourselves only - no money, only creativity and passion. Who are you to destroy the little that we have.
Who are you, this being without loyalty, this energy without compassion, this man without respect, who are you? Like all racist-capitalist you, undoubtedly, represent a rich, white South African man who uses the desperate circumstance and condition of black people to fight your battles.
By constantly seeking to destroy any possibilities of black institutional identity, that are free from the abuse of the angry downpressors , you risk isolation. Gilfillan, Apartheid got your shit right and you are well aware of what happened to that regime.
It is therefore not a threat, it is a fact... when the people are gatvol, the people rise!
Gatvol of the power plays in SA music industry
i dunno if you've heard or seen but the madness in the south african music industry, seemingly, cannot break the chains of oppression and at its root are the workings of white men! yes white men! they cannot do justice to our project. we need to be wise and call upon our past in order to build the future, but these dudes continue to pull the wool over our eyes, blinding us from our true worth. we need to stand firm .. have we asked who was behind the havoc that lead to the cancellation of mama africa's tribute concert on the 10th august this year? once again a white south african man has short-changed us, preventing us from the experience of our own culture. we nearing the end of our being nice.. Yes, mina, i'm gatvol of the power plays - its so last century and cannot continue ...
i will be back later after I rework some more thoughts. till then , you are welcome to comment, but let's always stand firm.
i will be back later after I rework some more thoughts. till then , you are welcome to comment, but let's always stand firm.
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