Celebrating the diversity of SA music

THE South African music industry has changed through the decades introducing the world to the country’s diverse cultures and heritage through sounds from the penny whistle to African jazz, ghoema and kwaito.

As Heritage Month draws to a close, Weekend Argus, spoke to three artists who have contributed to different genres that have made an impact to many South Africans.

David Kramer is a household name who has worked as a writer and theatre director for 40 years and is known for the six musicals he made with the late Taliep Petersen.

Kramer said: “Certainly styles come and go in terms of popularity. I am grateful that my sounds found resonance with the audience and have become classics. I hope I will be remembered for my body of work.”

Kramer said he learned early on how important it was to find his voice and vision in the industry.

“Find your voice and vision. It’s significant because to be an original artist you have to. The rest is imitation.”

In the three decades of Joe Nina’s music career, the afro-contemporary

artist has garnered a number of awards. Recently he received the lifetime achievement award at the 2022 South African Music Awards (Samas).

The Zodwa hitmaker started his career when kwaito began gaining traction in South Africa in the early 1990s.

“I believe people still love and appreciate the music I create, as much as they did back then,” he said. Music is our heritage and it identifies us. I’m grateful to still be a part of the industry 30 years later despite all its changes.”

Over the years, he has learned many lessons but two stick out.

“The importance of remaining original and being patient. Music changes all the time, but it was important to have my own identity in it,” he said.

South Africa’s queen of rock, Karen Zoid, whose career began in 2001 said she wasn’t ready to stop: “It only ends the day I play my last note. As long as I write ‘musician’ next to the word occupation, I am happy.”

“The best part of being a musician is that you learn how to be human. Performances will take you everywhere and you get to see the world in all its horrific and beautiful weirdness.”

Over the course of her career, she’s learned the importance of timing.

“The old saying, ‘timing is not everything, it’s the only thing’ rings true. The reason people give up or miss opportunities is they want to make it now, but you can’t. It’s important to make the best of what you have, new things will unfold.”