1.
The Southern Africa Region
● Includes Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia,
Mozambique.
● The wealthiest and most influential African region in globalization.
● Since Nelson Mandela’s election and the end of apartheid, South Africa has
progressed, but challenges remain.
● Zimbabwe once had promise but fell into political and economic turmoil under Robert
Mugabe.
● Southern African music is distinct from the rest of Africa, shaped by colonial
influence but less affected by Islam.
● Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zambia have small music scenes with little
international exposure.
● Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have stronger musical traditions,
particularly in Afropop/Afrobeat.
● Angola and Mozambique share musical ties with Portugal and Brazil, while
Zimbabwe and South Africa integrate Western and local influences.
2. Music of Angola
History & Genre
● Semba: Angola’s traditional dance music, linked to Brazilian samba.
● Developed in 17th-century coastal cities, associated with celebrations.
● Angola was a major slave trade hub under Portuguese rule (16th–19th centuries).
● Civil war after independence in 1975 delayed musical growth.
Notable Artists
● Liceu Vieira Dias – pioneer of modern Angolan music, arrested in the 1950s.
● Bonga – exiled singer, famous for Angola 72, banned due to political content.
● Waldemar Bastos – blends Angolan rhythms with jazz and Brazilian sounds.
● Paulo Flores – semba/zouk artist popular in Lusophone countries.
● Victor Gama – experimental musician who designs his own instruments.
3. Music of Mozambique
History & Genre
● Marrabenta: Upbeat urban dance music combining calypso, salsa, merengue.
● Timbila: Traditional xylophone-based music of the Chopi people.
● Portuguese rule (1497–1975) heavily influenced Mozambique’s music.
● Post-independence civil war and the 1999 floods slowed development.
Notable Artists
● Wazimbo – leading marrabenta vocalist.
● Eyuphuro – Mozambique’s most famous band.
● Mabulu – fuses Afropop, hip-hop, and dance-hall.
● Dilon Djindi – recorded his first album at age 75.
● Eduardo Durao – master of the traditional mbila xylophone.
4. Music of South Africa
History & Genre
● RSA has rich natural resources, diverse landscapes, and strong sports and music
culture.
● Hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first African nation to do so.
● Despite post-apartheid progress, economic and social challenges persist.
● Mbaqanga – rural dance music with deep bass vocals.
● Township music – urban fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and soul.
● Isicathamiya – Zulu a cappella singing style.
Notable Artists
● Miriam Makeba – anti-apartheid activist, global star (Pata Pata).
● Ladysmith Black Mambazo – internationally renowned a cappella group.
● Lucky Dube – South Africa’s leading reggae artist.
● Johnny Clegg – first white musician to integrate Zulu music.
● Brenda Fassie – township pop star known as the "Madonna of Africa."
5. Music of Zimbabwe
History & Genre
● Formerly Southern Rhodesia, colonized by Cecil Rhodes.
● Became independent in 1979, but fell into dictatorship and economic crisis.
● Chimurenga – fusion of guitar and mbira, with political messages.
● Jit – fast-paced pop music from Harare.
● Mbira music – traditional thumb piano-based melodies.
Notable Artists
● Thomas Mapfumo – pioneer of chimurenga, exiled for opposing Mugabe.
● Oliver Mtukudzi (Tuku) – fused chimurenga with mbaqanga.
● Stella Chinese – queen of mbira, first major female mbira artist.
● Bhundu Boys – leading jit band in the 1980s.
● Ephat Mujuru & Dumisani Maraire – masters of mbira, introduced it globally.
