- Title: SINGAPORE: SOUTH AFRICAN BAND JABU KHANYILE AND BAYETE PERFORM IN SINGAPORE
- Date: 9th October 2001
- Summary: SINGAPORE (RECENT) (REUTERS) JABU KHANYILE AND BAYETE PERFORMING AT WOMAD
- Embargoed: 24th October 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SINGAPORE
- Country: Singapore
- Topics: Entertainment,General
- Reuters ID: LVA5PS2BSADGOEIN7QAQ86F8Y8ZT
- Story Text: Jabu Khanyile and Bayete is one of South Africa's leading bands, known for a brand of music that combines traditional African styles and contemporary grooves.
Jabu Khanyile is very proud of his African heritage.
He also loves to talk to his audience about various issues concerning Africans .
In his songs, Khanyile confronts social issues such as pride in blackness, brotherhood among Africans, preservation of culture and respect.
"I talk about African issues, social issues, more of cultural issues, and traditional issues because I felt that Africa is one part of the world that has been ignored, not being taken seriously. And it made us to feel inferior of ourselves. We feel that Africa is seen as a bad place. So I'm trying to motivate people to love their own place. I want people to acknowledge themselves and love what god made them to be," said Khanyile at WOMAD Festival (World of Music and Dance) in Singapore.
Khanyile preaches about black beauty and self-respect amongst Africans.
He tells a story of some Black people bleaching their skin to look white, and how ridiculous it is.
"In early 1970s, my mother used to preach them (people) try to be white. She told that Black is inferior. They used to preach servants today they have black skins. That's why I wrote a song in 1994 that says black beauty is one that is beautiful. Whatever beauty you are and whatever colour you are, you are as beautiful of the colour that you are, and respect no matter what you are. It helped a lot of young stars those days," said Khanyile.
He sings of African brotherhood and commends those who work hard despite the hardships. He sings of undying love for his woman in the only way he can do.
In a bid to forge unity of all South Africa, irrespective of colour, creed or religion, Khanyile uses Sesotho, Isizulu and English languages in his songs.
"I mixed music from different parts of Africa plus South Africa. And for the reason why many people are aware that Africa is one continent for Africans, and culture and tradition is the same. It goes with the music. The music is the same thing. We can sing in each other's songs, at the same time it just fits. And that's why I call it Afro-Pop," said Khanyile.
Khanyile and his band also dedicate their time and money for charities and destitutes in Africa.
They were invited together with other African greats like Yossou N'Dour from Senegal and Papa Wemba from the Democratic Republic of Congo to record 'So Why' for displaced African children.
No matter how famous he becomes, he said he never forgets his roots and his duty for Africa - to spread African music across the world.
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