Watch: Djembe Drumming workshop and Lecture by the Odeion School of Music

Dr. Sonkanise ka Nkosi
Senior lecturer in Music Education and Practice (UFS)
Short Biography

This lecture is aimed at empowering you with  basic djembe performance skills and knowledge on how  African drumming ensemble is put together.Dr. Sonkanise ka Nkosi presented an online djembe drumming workshop and lectured on African Ensemble Drumming theory, philosophy, and practice about the importance of diversity, development, and unity. Read more...

Cornelia Thwala
LLB student at UFS

LISTEN: Criminal Record (Poetry Performance); Author: Cornelia Thwala
Introduction: This poem is about former inmates who are denied opportunities because of their criminal records. How they struggled after because of a criminal record. This is how most young people end up not having a living. As a result, they go back to crime.

LISTEN: Mkhulu Lontsandzekako (Poetry Performance in Siswati); Author: Cornelia Thwala
Introduction: This poem I wrote when I was thinking about my late grandfather. In this poem, I am telling him about events that have taken place in Africa, good and bad. It reveals how the forefathers had so much knowledge to guide us and how we need them today.

Poem by Precious Kubheka (African Child Cries, 2015)

          What’s in the name?
         The roots of my pride
         like a tattoo on a prisoner’s skin.

    Here’s what’s in my name:
    a symbol of my father’s love for my mother – Thando;
    and telling tales of the seasons and situations
    from which I was born – Mmapula;
    my name is my father’s sweat – Msizi;
    it is my mother’s comfort – Thulani;
    their hope for my future – Vhutali.

    You may not shorten it,
    you may not laugh when I introduce myself,
    you may not say “whatever that is”,
    you may not wrinkle your nose,
    as if it smells bad.

    That is my name

Bethel (Omoyeme) Oamen
LLb student at the University of the Free State

Listen: Mama Africa by Bethel Oamen

Luvuyo Shoco
B.Acc Student UFS
Short Biography

Dear Black Child
         by Luvuyo Shoco

Black is black
Black is African
Black is original
Black is black and black can never be blue
Nor White
But can be found cruising in brown, caramel skin.
Continue....

Mother Africa
    by Luvuyo Shoco

There’s nothing more beautiful than a healing soul
Mama I call upon your name as you lick your healing wounds
From the whips and guns of vicious, savage men
Even through that, you still remain kind and shaped in the form of a heart
What a huge heart you are... Continue..

LISTEN: Thando (Song); Author: EnvyMusiQ
Introduction: This song is about love

Artists: Lindokuhle S`thembiso Mlambo & Sibonelo Kubheka (UFS students)