Contemporary South African Cultures: A Few Examples of Racial Conflicts, Trauma and Cultural Mix -- Soweto Green -- William Kentdridge -- Ladysmith Mambazo and Miriam Makeba

Soweto Green 1.Professor Curtis Tshabalala, a native of Soweto, now living in California with an American wife, decides that they should move back to his hometown, causing some very funny culture conflict as two very Americanized African-Americans try to adapt to life in the slums of Soweto. 2.Adrian Fluit, an Afrikaner returns home to his wealthy family to find out who his parents have chosen for him to marry, bringing his beautiful black fiancee along.

Soweto Green When Robben island becomes a tourist place, one ’ s political ideal gets mixed with local self-justifying robbery and discomfort in daily life; When revolutionary slogans “ Amandla ” and gestures become diplomatic gestures; When crossing racial boundaries become less dangerous than that of gender boundaries... Another question: who is to be blame for the poor living conditions of the black townships? Who should renovate them?

"History of the Main Complaint"(1996) Created eighteen months later during the hearings of the "Truth and Reconciliation" commission, is a reflection on collective and individual responsibility and on latent pangs of conscience at past injustice.

Felix in Exile WILLIAM KENTRIDGE b. 1955

Cross-Over Styles in Music (review) "Nkosi Sikilel'i Africa" (God Bless Africa) – choral music + mbube )

Cross-Cultural Musical Cooperation (1 & 2) 1.acapella ( 無伴奏和聲 ) group Ladysmith Black Mambazo – their style: ISICATHAMIYA (Is-Cot-A- Me-Ya). + Paul Simon “ Homeless ” 2. Mekeba + Paul Simon “ Under the African Skies ”

Joseph ’ s face was black as night The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes His path was marked By the stars in the southern hemisphere And he walked his days Under african skies This is the story of how we begin to remember This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein After the dream of falling and calling your name out These are the roots of rhythm And the roots of rhythm remain

Questions: ‘World Music” How do we tell whether it is part of a trend of Westerners ’ appropriation of ‘ third world ’ /minorities ’ music, mutual support and appreciation, or artistic re-creation through cultural mixing? Does it matter if we do not understand the lyrics?