Comparative Black Liberation

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These video diaries were created after completing field research in King William’s Town, South Africa. Edited by Flosha Tejada.

Part 1

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Part 2

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Miss. Hilary Pandora Yam

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music, Black Consciousness Philosophy

Date: 12 August, 2008

Location: King William’s Town, South Africa

Narrator: Miss. Hilary Pandora Yam

Interviewer: Atandi Anyona

Transcriber: Atandi Anyona

Biographical Information:

Miss. Yam was Atandi Anyona‘s host sister during the research team’s stay in King William’s Town. At the time of the interview, she was sixteen and attended the tenth grade.

Interview Information:

As a South African youth, Miss. Yam offers her perspective on music in South Africa, her knowledge and thoughts about the anti-apartheid movement and its leaders, their significance today, and how they should be remembered.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Ms. Stephanie Victor

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General Topic of Interview: Memorialization – Museums

Date: 12 August, 2008

Location: Amathole Museum, King William’s Town, South Africa

Narrator: Ms. Stephanie Victor

Interviewer: James Chapnick

Transcriber: James Chapnick

Biographical Information:

Ms. Stephanie Victor was born in a small Western Cape Province town called Wellington. She attended the University of Stellenbosch, receiving her honors BA in cultural history. She has also received a degree in museum studies and completed her masters in history at Rhodes University. Since 1997 she has worked as the historian at the Amathole Museum in King William’s Town, South Africa.

Interview Information:

Ms. Victor details the role of the museum in post-apartheid South Africa. She discusses the changes that have occurred in the way the museum displays history since the implementation of democracy in South Africa in 1994, and the challenges that a museum faces in how it displays history in a country with many different viewpoints, both cultural and social on a given issue. Ms. Victor also discusses some of the Amathole Museum‘s exhibits and how they relate to the anti-apartheid movement, including the upcoming “Stories of the Struggle” exhibit that includes oral testimonies.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mr. Mongezi Stuurman

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music, Education

Date of Interview: 12 August, 2008

Location: BJT Tyamzashe School, Zinyoka Location, South Africa

Narrator: Mr. Mongezi Stuurman

Interviewer: Gqabi Njokweni

Translator: Gqabi Njokweni

Transcribers: Pumza Williams, James Chapnick, Ryan Koons

Biographical Information:

Mr. Mongezi Stuurman is the principle of BJT Tyamzashe School in the community of Zinyoka, South Africa. He began working at the school in 1984 with the aim of working with the people of Zinyoka to uplift the community through education. The school is named for BJT Tyamzashe, a well known Xhosa composer from the area.

Interview Information:

Mr. Stuurman spoke about the influence of Tyamzashe’s music on the school’s music program. He also discussed the role of Tyamzashe’s music, and music in general, as influencing the anti-apartheid struggle. Stuurman also speaks about the Black Consciousness Movement, and his opinion on memorialization in South Africa, particularly regarding name changes and monuments.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mr. Stanley Roji

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General Topic of Interview: Black Consciousness Philosophy, Lived Experience – Health Care

Date: 12 August, 2008

Location: Zanempilo Clinic, Zinyoka Location, King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Narrator: Mr. Stanley Roji

Interviewer: Nhlanhla Mosele

Biographical Information:

Mr. Stanley Roji lives in the community of Zinyoka, near King William’s Town, South Africa. During apartheid, Mr. Roji worked at the Zanempilo Community Health Center, which was an institution created by the Black Consciousness Movement’s Black Community Programs. He came to know Steve Biko personally and holds a deep respect for him.

Interview Information:

Mr. Roji spoke about his life and experiences at the Zanempilo Community Health Center and in Zinyoka during apartheid. He experienced many hardships during this time, such as having his housed bombed by authorities from the Ciskei Government. Mr. Roji also talked about his feelings towards the Black Consciousness Movement and Steve Biko, whom he knew personally.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mrs. Gloria Piliso

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music

Date of Interview: 16 August, 2008

Location: Braai at the Jooste family residence, King Williams Town, South Africa

Narrator: Mrs. Gloria Piliso

Interviewer: Atandi Anyona

Translators: Thobeka Mheshe, Atandi Anyona

Transcriber: Ryan Koons

Biographical Information:

Mrs. Gloria Piliso, Atandi Anyona‘s host mother in South Africa, was interviewed at a gathering of the host families and friends at the braai held at the Jooste family residence. While still in high school, Mrs. Piliso was active with student groups that protested apartheid policies such as lessons in schools being taught in Afrikaans as part of the Bantu Education System. She looked up to Steve Biko while a young activist, perceiving the roles that she and her comrades played as an extension of his efforts.

Interview Information:

The interview focuses on freedom songs and their importance during the anti-apartheid struggle. Mrs. Piliso describes what they meant, when and why they were sung, how they originated, and what they helped to achieve. She also performs some songs and recounts stories of singing them during the struggle.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mr. Zwandile Piliso

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music, Black Consciousness Philosophy

Date: 12 August, 2008

Location: King William’s Town, South Africa

Narrator: Mr. Zwandile Piliso

Interviewer: Atandi Anyona

Transcriber: Atandi Anyona

Biographical Information:

Mr. Zwandile Piliso was Atandi Anyona‘s host-father during the research team’s stay in King William’s Town, South Africa. In King William’s Town, Mr. Piliso serves as an Educational Specialist in the Department of Education of the Eastern Cape Province.

Interview Information:

In this interview Mr. Piliso presents his opinion on present day South Africa and how little it has changed in terms of living conditions and poverty since the National Party government ruled the country. He also speaks about Steve Biko and the meaning and impact of the Black Consciousness Movement.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mr. Simphiwe Mguye

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music

Date of Interview: 12, August 2008

Location: BJT Tyamzashe School, Zinyoka Location, South Africa

Narrator: Mr. Simphiwe Mguye

Interviewer: Melikhaya Potwana

Translators: Melikhaya Potwana and Pumza Williams

Transcribers: Pumza Williams, James Chapnick, Ryan Koons

Biographical Information:

Originally born in Stutterheim, Simphiwe Mguye was raised in Mdantsane, South Africa. He became interested in music at a young age by attending church and listening to the choral music performed there. Mguye pursued his interest in music by studying instrumental music at Rogano Music College in East London in 1987, later returning to school in 1990-1991. In 1997 he was hired to teach math and science at the BJT Tyamzashe School in Zinyoka, where he also acts as choir director.

Interview Information:

Mguye discusses the importance of music to him personally and as an important educational tool. The interview focuses mainly on teaching choral music at Mguye’s school, but also covers the history of choral music and its implementation in the anti-apartheid struggle.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Mr. Sandizo Mayedwa

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General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music, Memorialization

Date: 12 August, 2008

Location: King William’s Town, South Africa

Narrator: Mr. Sandizo Mayedwa

Interviewer: Atandi Anyona

Transcriber: Max Paschall

Biographical Information:

At the time of this interview, Mayedwa was attending his 12^th and final year at Dale College in King William’s Town. Mayedwa was the host-brother of Kyle Coston during the research teams stay in King William’s Town.

Interview Information:

This interview aims to get the perspective of a younger South African on the Black Consciousness Movement and Steve Biko, monuments, and museums that commemorate the struggle, liberation music, and the youth in South Africa.

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South Africa | Mississippi

Interview with Ms. Promotia Mangcu

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General Topic of Interview: Black Consciousness Philosophy

Date: 15 August, 2008

Location: Ginsberg, near King William’s Town, South Africa

Narrator: Ms. Promotia Mangcu

Interviewer: Nhlanhla Mosele

Transcriber: Max Paschall

Biographical Information:

Ms. Promotia Mangcu was born in Port Elizabeth, but she spent most of her life in King William’s Town and Cape Town. In Cape Town, Mangcu attended the University of Cape Town, where she experienced a political awakening and became more aware of the state in which black South Africans existed. In the early 1970s she became involved in the Black Consciousness Movement at the university. She explained that BCM philosophy has nearly the same importance as religion in her life.

Interview Information:

As a participant in the Black Consciousness Movemenet it its heyday, the 1970s, Mangcu offers valuable insight into what the movement meant to her, both then and now, and why and how she was involved. She also reflects on the BCM as a larger movement, its history, and the role of women in the movement.

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