South African style and Subcultures

Kingdom of Kwaito

Icons: King and queen

The King of Kwaito is known as Arthur, Arthur Mafokate. He has a reputation of provocative rabble-rouser with controversial lyrics and Jaw dropping dance acts on stage. Arthur began the phenomena of Kwaito music which originated in 1995 after South Africa ended apartheid.  

http://kwaito.com/articles/mshoza-the-queen-of-kwaito.html

The Queen of Kwaito is known as Mshoza, Nomasonto Maswanganyi. She was dicovered in youth show called "Jam alley" and then went on to produce a hit song 'kortes'.

Ambience and Aesthetics

The genre of music known as kwaito started emerging in the 1990's. The word kwaito originated from a Afrikaans word Kwaai, Which translates as 'angry' in English. In the townships negative phrases gave the status of cool. South African townships adopted the Kwaito culture and created their own language known as tsotsitaal. Isicamtho is the modern version of tsotsitaal. Tsotsi is known as a thug or gangster and the fashion has been derived from prison clothing and the fashion trends of 'tsotsis' in the townships which to the world is known as 'slums'. The language was derived from Afrikaans and other vernacular languages. Tsotsi taal has become well-known to South African and is used on the daily bases.

Kwaito is about the Township, knowing and understanding the township. Walk the walk, talk the talk but mostly be proud of these things. Townships are being celebrated by the youth through kwaito music. Townships was created by apartheid government for cheap labour but at present it has become a culture on its own.

Emblem

The emlem is basically the dress code of a hat and all star sneakers "takkies". The Hat is also known as a "spotty". it symbolises their culture and struggle in a poverty stricken township.

The Creed

• Speak the tsotsi taal
• Dress up in all stars with "spotty" and overalls. Smart casual is also one of the dress codes.
• Be proud, walk the walk and talk the talk
• Understand the Township
• Celebrate the township and represent.
• Know how to dance for example "Pansula"
• Be proudly South African

The Anthem

One the first Kwaito song which went against a racial name known as "kaffir". The song is by Arthur and is called "kaffir". It was inspired after Arthur was racially abuse in Polokwane which was known as Pietersburg. It spurred a national hit in South Africa as Arthur expressed his emotions on the song, he called a white man "baas" which it was just poking fun and he goes on saying repeatedly "nee baas, don't call me kaffir". This song sparked the kwaito revolution and culture in Soweto as most minorities were forced to live there in the townships. All songs made in Kwaito expresses Township life and displays their culture and mostly their pride as equal South Africans. Here is a link to the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF460058UkA