Resources for a lesson about the South African Apartheid?

March 8, 2008 7:05 PM

I need help planning a 50 minute presentation for a Holocaust remembrance day relating to the apartheid in South Africa. It will be focused on the music of South Africa, after giving some background information. Did I mention that it is for a bunch of 7th/8th graders and is happening on Wednesday?

I personally don't know much of anything about the apartheid, and have no idea where to start finding music that includes a translation/background information section. Can somebody point me in the direction of some music, good background information sources, and some activities for some impatient kids?
Thanks!
If you want to contact me, email holocaust208[at]kittensarefuzzy[dot]com

posted by ooklala to education (6 answers total)

Start by renting Cry Freedom?
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:32 PM on March 8, 2008

Tolerance.org might have some info for you. It's run by the Southern Poverty Law Centre. It addresses issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, lookism...it's quite diverse and has a lot of articles and information, as well as teaching materials--it's got lesson plans, classroom activities, teaching ideas etc. I'd suggest you browse the "for teachers" section to see if there is anything suitable for your age group and topics.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:01 PM on March 8, 2008

Amandla! A revolution in four part harmony is an excellent documentary that highlights the role of music in the struggle against Apartheid.
posted by rochi at 11:02 PM on March 8, 2008

So you want MUSIC and a history lesson about apartheid...beep boop bop boop boob BEEP.

The answer is SARAFINA!

Good luck. PS...thats a morbid and creepy kinda email address. Good luck with that as well!
posted by hal_c_on at 11:07 PM on March 8, 2008

Rounder records issued: Radio Freedom: Voice of the African National Congress and the People's Army Umkhonto We Sizwe back in the 1980s. Recorded live in a studio broadcasting the then illegal African National congress' radio shows.

Homeland 2 is a good sampler of South African popular/folk styles. Also on rounder.

Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu founded Jaluka when it was illegal for a white and a black to play and perform together. Their music is based on Zulu folklore, while Clegg's later work with Savuka touches more on politics (and is in English.)

David Coplan's 1985 book "In Township To-nite!" seems to be out of print but is worth checking libraries for. Coplan was an ethnomusicologist working on the effect of racial politics on the south african music industry. It is an excellent read.
posted by zaelic at 3:56 AM on March 9, 2008

I have Amandala, also that email address is only a temporary one I setup on my website that I could disable when this post is closed. 202 is the date I posted this.
posted by ooklala at 8:13 AM on March 9, 2008