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LINER NOTESThe Soweto massacre of June 16, 1976, shocked the civilised world. June 16, 1976, has therefore become one of the most significant dates in the political history of South Africa. It was not a watershed but a culmination point in the long struggle of our people for national liberation and social emancipation. The African National Congress, the vanguard of the liberation struggle in South Africa, remembers those killed then and later and pledges to continue the struggle until final victory. Since 1963 more than fifty people have been murdered in prisons and under detention, Every year half a million South Africans are arrested and imprisoned in accordance with Pass Laws and 100,000 prisoners are permanently detained in prisons throughout the country, where two capital hangings take place weekly. The reality of the South African situation today is characterised by arrests or police brutality; the characteristic feature of our situation is the struggle of our people. On the 19th October, 1977, the fascist regime of Vorster banned nineteen organisations and two black journals, thus suppressing not only the political organisations but all forms of cultural expression. This was not the first time that people's organisations were banned. The ANC was banned in 1960 and in 1961 it formed Umkhonto We Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the military wing of the ANC. But this act emphasized once again, that for the voteless and voiceless black masses there is no other way than armed struggle. This vindicates the policy of the ANC that armed struggle leads to freedom By armed struggle, the ANC does not mean "wanton killing" or "reckless" acts 'of "terrorism." but organized, disciplined and well prepared resistance by the people. The people themselves demand this and the ANC is responding to the people's demands." If there is anybody who does not believe this: let him listen to this record by our musicians, dancers, poets etc. who are members of a cultural unit of the African National Congress of South Africa. It is a record of some poetry in the main, music — revolutionary songs of the liberation movement. The record express — in an artistic way — the joys and woes, despair and hope of the oppressed majority of the South African people. What is more, it is filled with determined optimism and confidence in the triumph of the struggle. The songs pledge that the struggle will continue — but not only that: We are now shortening our spears and having a firm grip on our shields. In 1980, the Year of the Freedom Charter, our people are going back to the Freedom Charter and forward with the Freedom Charter. Francis Meli Director of Publicity. AMANDLA GROUP is young — a baby of struggle in the inevitable revolution continuing in the land of the super-exploited and fascist-oppressed majority — South Africa. In 1977 when some members of the group went to Festac in Nigeria it was still tip-toeing. After the Cuban Festival in 1978 it grew and mushroomed into what it is today — a united voice sounding the horn of a brilliant tomorrow. Amandla is a force bringing together the shattered shell of our culture, a culture tempered with by those who savaged our traditions and customs, our norms, plundered and still do, our land and wealth; in fact everything that holds us together. Today we see a South Africa where the enemy seeks to inject discord by telling us and the world that there are ten black nations in South Africa — Venda, Sotho, Xhosa, Shangaan, Pedi, Zulu and Tswana etc. The same enemy says there is one white nation entitled to 87% of our country. Amandla Group, together with the whole South African people, is saying NO! We reject divisive tactics in the cultural arena as we do in all areas. We' want one united culture that will bud and bloom from the multifaceted aspects of our cultures, exhalting the best in each, elevating all. We want to be a nation proud in its oneness. Receive, then, friends, the rhythmic thudding dance of the advancing fighters for freedom, the songs for national liberation and self-determination. Come witness then, the dramatic lives of our people. Our culture shall indeed find a place in International art because ours speaks of profound human needs — liberty, equality, development and just peace. We want contact with other lands, other people, other cultures. Here are young South Africans, full-time ANC members, who are devoting their individual and collective life to struggle for a new South Africa. Determined, committed, they have chosen culture, which is their love as well, to be their weapon. Culture is their vehicle to bring to you those fighting milllons - the children of the future. Recorded at Radio Luanda & Radio Zambia Studios 1980. Front design: Karin Sodergren Production: A DISC for The African National Congress (S.A.) Producers: ANC, Palle Budtz ® & © 1980 All rights reserved BS 800718 art.nr 90 973 (Also on cassette art.nr 90974) A DISC The Swedish Labour Movement Record Company Box 42053 • 12612 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: Sweden 8/744 25 00 |
AMANDLA
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NOTESThis LP was the first of two Swedish releases featuring Amandla, part of the ANC's cultural arm in exile. Shirli Gilbert has an excellent essay on Mayibuye and Amandla in the book COMPOSING APARTHEID—Music For and Against Apartheid, edited by Grant Olwage. View Matsuli's listing here for more information about the group. |
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