Johannesburg - Those who lived in apartheid South Africa often tell of how music healed souls and brought comfort in the face of the brutal conditions they were subjected to.
Now, with racism frequently rearing its head in communities, the Department of Arts and Culture, together with a collective of legendary African musicians, launched a song to challenge racism yesterday.
No Love, No Life, composed by Mzwakhe Mbuli, is a song that conveys the message that nobody is born racist, but racists are influenced by evil minds.
“There is no DNA for racism, there are no genes for racism… love has no colour, and love transcends all boundaries,” said Mbuli on Wednesday.
The launch, which took place at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, was graced by the presence of Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, legendary jazz singers Letta Mbulu and Dorothy Masuka, as well as Sipho Sithole, founder of Native Rhythms.
After Mbuli and his band entertained the crowd of mostly journalists with his rendition of the anti-racism song, a panel discussion was held on whether music could still shift the minds of society as it did during apartheid.
Masuka, as one of the panellists, stressed that the message was lost in today’s music.
Masuka mentioned kwaito star Mdu Masilela’s hit song Gibela phezu kwendlu(Climb on the roof and let them know) as an example of today’s “meaningless music”.
“Youngsters, your music does not have lyrics. When you get on the stage to perform as a musician, it should be about conveying a message, then entertaining. Tell us stories through your music. When you say get on the roof and tell them? Tell them what exactly? she asked.
Sithole urged that racism should be criminalised.
An emotional (Letta) Mbulu said: “Music should continue to convey a message of love and nurturing, just like an African child is taught.”
Mthethwa said racism exists without racists. “Because we cannot physically see people who directly perpetuate racism, we should, through the arts, influence the abstract being,” he said.
Artists featured in the anti-racism song include Thokozani Langa, Zain Bhika, Mande de Jesus, David Jenkins, Mbongeni Ngema with backing vocals from the late Miriam Makeba.