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A Piece of the Ground

A Piece of Ground is a complication of South African music inspired by Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo’s Slaghuis II.   

The selection resonates like a vision of bodies and spirits gathered in the same room, sometimes at odds with each other, yet always held by a shared wound. Assembled at the Slaghuis, the bodies and spirits pray, laugh, scream, cry and shout. As they fix their mouths to speak, so the music begins.

1. A Piece of Ground    

Miriam Makeba    

Pata Pata, 1967


2. Hush (Somebody’s Calling My Name)     

Hugh Masekela and the Union of South Africa     

Hugh Masekela and the Union of South Africa, 1971


3. Babhemu (Friends)     

Busi Mhlongo & Twasa     

Babhemu, 1990


4. Ntozabantu      

Lebo Mathosa     

Dream, 2000


5. Unenzondo      

Imithente     

Uzoyikhona Kanjani, 2018


6. Zabalaza      

Brothers of Peace     

Zabalaza: Project B, 2001


7. Tlo Be Rele Daar      

Skeem     

Yizo Yizo, 2004


8. Higher and Higher      

Brenda Fassie     

Mama, 1994


9. Ngud’      

Kwesta feat. Cassper Nyovest     

DaKAR II, 2016[spacer height="20px"]


10. Y U 4 Me        

Mdu       

Y U 4 Me, 1995"]


11. Yinde (Short Version)        

BCUC

Our Truth. 2016


12. Sister        

Batsumi       

Moving Along, 1974


13. Tristêza (Reunião De Tristêza)        

Letta Mbulu       

There’s Music In The Air, 1976  


A Piece of Ground is compiled by Chumisa Ndakisa, a curator, writer and music devotee. Ndakisa freelances at the Market Photo Workshop as Exhibitions Co-Ordinator. The playlist title is borrowed from Miriam Makeba’s song of the same name, telling the plight of the landless.