“The project consists of a sound piece, an essay and a series of graphics, showing how Against the backdrop of apartheid’s shadow, how sounds become an act of resilience and resistance—a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced.
Nowadays, English and Afrikaans are both widely spoken and official languages in South Africa. This reflects the country’s diverse linguistic and cultural heritage. However, in 1976, the turbulent era, Afrikaans was an iron shackle, binding the voices of students, stifling their cries for freedom. Dollar Brand emerged as voices of dissent, their melodies echoing defiance against the oppression.
The sound piece is a collection of different sound recorded in South African street. From the chatter of conversations to the rhythm of footsteps, from the hum of traffic to the melodies of music, every sound represents a thread in the fabric of South African life. In capturing these sounds, the idea is to pay homage to the voices of the ordinary citizens, often marginalized in the discourse of the elite. Through this collection of sounds, I aim to weave a larger narrative of South Africa—its past struggles, its present realities, and its hopes for the future.”
