Department of History

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Browsing Department of History by Subject "African American musicians -- Political aspects"

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    Its just a matter of time : African American musicians and the Cultural Boycott in South Africa, 1968-1983
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Waggie, Ashrudeen; Fransch, Chet James Paul; Lambrechts, L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1968 the United Nations General Assembly instituted a cultural boycott against apartheid South Africa. The cultural boycott prevented South Africa from having cultural, educational and sporting ties with the rest of the world, and it was an attempt by the international community to sever ties with South Africa. A culmination of this strategy was the publication of an annual registry by the United Nations of all international entertainers, actors, and others who performed in South Africa from 1983. Based on this registry a number of academic studies have been conducted, but very few studies have investigated those who came to perform in South Africa before the publication of the registry even though renowned artists such as Percy Sledge (1970), Brook Benton (1971 & 1982), Jimmy Smith (1978 & 1982) and Isaac Hayes (1978) performed in South Africa during this time. This study will investigate a selection of African American musicians who came to perform in South Africa before the publication of the registry. Specific attention will be paid to the reception of these musicians in South Africa, the promoters that brought them and their accompanying musicians. Based on close readings of their tours, this study will argue that the cultural boycott was not as successful in deterring musicians from performing in South Africa. In fact, in some instances their careers regained renewed relevance after their return to America.