Kozay SA

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | SPOT THE SOUNDTRACK 🇨🇩 🎬🎶 DID YOU KNOW? Congolese rumba played a part in telling the story of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence? In 1960, legendary Congolese musician Joseph Kabasele, better known as Grand Kallé, and his band, L’African Jazz, performed Table Ronde, a song named after the historic Round Table Conference held in Brussels, where Congolese leaders and Belgian representatives negotiated the country’s independence. The negotiations took place between 20 January and 20 February 1960, paving the way for the Belgian Congo to become independent on 30 June that year. This remarkable musical moment also features in Lumumba (2000), a biographical film directed by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck. The film chronicles the political journey of Patrice Lumumba, the DRC’s first prime minister, exploring the country’s struggle for independence, the political tensions that followed, and his eventual assassination. Featuring music associated with the independence era, including Table Ronde and Indépendance Cha Cha, the film connects Congolese rumba with one of the most defining chapters in the country’s history. It’s a reminder that African music is more than entertainment. It preserves memories, captures political moments, and gives expression to the hopes and aspirations of a people. History has a soundtrack, and sometimes, it’s Congolese rumba. 🎶 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana & @__Kozay #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #KnowYourAfrica #AfricanMusic #Film #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | LOST IN TRANSLATION 🇨🇩 Mbongwana Star – Kala 🇨🇩 Released: 2015 Album: From Kinshasa 🎶 There’s a powerful message of community, identity, and national pride behind “Kala” by Mbongwana Star? Released in 2015 on their album From Kinshasa, “Kala” is a vibrant musical expression from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The repeated phrase, “Bito ba mwela, we represent the village,” places community and collective identity at the heart of the song. It speaks to representing where you come from, carrying your people’s identity, and recognising that you are part of something bigger than yourself. The lyrics also invoke the imagery of light and standing for one’s country, suggesting a message of belonging, pride, and collective responsibility. There is something particularly powerful about the idea of representing your village. It reminds us that wherever we go, we carry our roots, our communities, and the stories that shaped us. Mbongwana Star’s “Kala” is an invitation to celebrate identity, honour our origins, and remember that we can be a light for the communities we represent. 🌍 A sound from Kinshasa with a message that reaches far beyond its borders. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #Lyrics #DRC #Kala #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | SOUL ON THE HEEL 🇨🇩🇨🇬 Born on the banks of the Congo River, Congolese Rumba became one of Africa’s most influential musical exports. 🌍🎶 But did you know its story stretches all the way to Cuba? Blending Central African musical traditions with Afro-Cuban influences, Congolese rumba developed into a distinctive sound defined by soulful vocals, intricate electric guitars, infectious rhythms, and romantic storytelling. From Grand Kallé and Franco to Tabu Ley Rochereau and Papa Wemba, generations of musicians transformed this sound into a cultural movement that traveled across Africa and beyond. It influenced the evolution of soukous, shaped dance-floor sounds across East and Central Africa and became a soundtrack to love, celebration, identity, and everyday life. In 2021, UNESCO recognised Congolese rumba as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its extraordinary cultural significance. So, whether you know it through its irresistible guitar melodies, the legendary sebene, or its timeless love songs, there is so much more to discover. 🎧 Start with Indépendance Cha Cha by Grand Kallé, Mario by Franco or Yolele by Papa Wemba. This is more than music. This is history, heritage, and African creativity in motion. How much do you know about Congolese Rumba? 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #CongoleseRumba #AfricanMusic #AfricanMusicHistory #DRC #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | LEGEND OF THE WEEK Some people make numbers add up. Others make them rhyme. Botshelo Mbhomboti does both. ✍🏾📚 Our LEGEND OF THE WEEK is celebrating a young South African author who is challenging conventional approaches to education by bringing poetry into the worlds of accounting, taxation, and mathematics. From publishing her debut book at just 19 to building a collection of educational poetry, Botshelo is showing us that learning doesn’t have to be limited to formulas, figures, and textbooks. Her publications include A Black Child Transformed by Accounting, The Poetic Atmosphere of Income Tax, and The Poetic Atmosphere of Mathematics. A trainee accountant, poet, and creative thinker, she is using an unconventional approach to make complex subjects more accessible, particularly for young learners. Her story is a reminder that innovation sometimes begins with the courage to see possibilities where others see limitations. Who said numbers couldn’t have a poetic side? This week, we celebrate Botshelo Mthomboti, a young woman turning knowledge into creativity and redefining how we think about learning. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #LegendofTheWeek #Author #Maths #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | TRAVEL CORNER 🇨🇩 Have you ever imagined exploring a country where the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest meets mighty rivers, spectacular waterfalls, extraordinary wildlife, and a vibrant cultural heritage? 🌍 Welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); one of Africa’s most geographically and culturally fascinating countries. From the energetic streets of Kinshasa, where music, fashion, and Congolese rumba shape everyday expression to the breathtaking beauty of Zongo Falls, there is an incredible story to discover. And the sights? 🌿 The Congo Basin: Explore the extraordinary rainforest ecosystem, home to remarkable biodiversity and some of the planet’s most important tropical forests. 🦧 Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary: Discover bonobos, our close evolutionary relatives, at a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and caring for these endangered great apes. 💦 Zongo Falls: Take in the spectacular cascading waters surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in Kongo Central. 🌋 Virunga National Park: A landscape of volcanoes, mountain forests, and extraordinary wildlife, internationally recognised for its natural significance. 🏞️ The Congo River: Experience the scale and beauty of one of the world’s great river systems, a defining feature of Central African geography and history. 🎶 Kinshasa’s cultural scene: Immerse yourself in Congolese rumba, a musical tradition recognised by UNESCO, alongside the country’s art, food, fashion, and vibrant urban culture. The DRC is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage natural sites, including Salonga National Park and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve; a testament to its extraordinary natural wealth. Whether your interests lie in ecotourism, wildlife conservation, cultural tourism, photography, or exploring Africa’s natural wonders, the DRC offers an extraordinary wealth of experiences to learn about. Africa is vast. Its stories are many. And the DRC is a world of its own. How much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have you discovered? 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #Travel #DiscoverAfrica #DRC #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | TRAVEL TO ZAIRE AT THE CENTRE OF THE RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE 🇨🇩🥊 On 30 October 1974, the eyes of the world turned to Kinshasa, Zaire, as Muhammad Ali and George Foreman went head-to-head in one of boxing’s most iconic encounters. But the real story extended far beyond the ring. Under Mobutu Sese Seko, Zaire became the stage for a historic meeting of sport, politics, and Black cultural identity. The now-famous chant, “Ali, bomaye!” (Ali, kill him!), echoed through the streets, while the Zaire ’74 music festival brought together international legends including James Brown, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela. For Mobutu, it was an opportunity to put Africa at the centre of global attention. For many of the people, it became a powerful expression of African pride and solidarity. So, how did a boxing match become a defining moment in the story of African identity, cultural influence, and political ambition? Join us as we revisit the history behind the Rumble in the Jungle and discover why Kinshasa was much more than just the location of the fight. 🎙️ Tune in to SAfm’s Music of Africa🎶🌍 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricaHistory #RumbleInTheJungle #DRC #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Kojo Antwi 🇬🇭 With a voice that makes love sound like poetry and a musical style that crosses generations, Kojo Antwi has earned his place among Ghana’s most celebrated musical exports. Affectionately known as Mr Music Man, Antwi built his signature sound by blending Ghanaian highlife with Congolese soukous, reggae, soul, and Afro-pop. The result? A distinctive musical identity rooted in Ghanaian culture but influenced by rhythms from across the world. From crowd favourites like Tom & Jerry and Akonoba to a career spanning more than four decades, his music has kept audiences connected through rhythm, romance, and storytelling. His journey began in Accra, Ghana, before taking him from performing with bands to becoming an internationally recognised solo artist. In February 2026, he added another chapter to his story with the unveiling of his memoir, Mr. Music Man: The Journey. But what shaped the man behind the music, and how did he become one of the defining voices of modern Ghanaian highlife? 🎙️Join us as we celebrate Kojo Antwi, the maestro whose music continues to bring generations together. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #Ghana #KojoAntwi #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Sekouba Bambino 🇬🇳 What happens when the ancient storytelling traditions of West Africa meet the rhythms of modern African music and Latin salsa? You get a voice like Sékouba Bambino. Born Sékouba Diabaté in Guinea in 1964, Bambino grew up in the Mandingue griot tradition, where music is more than entertainment; it is a way of preserving history, identity and cultural memory. His talent emerged early. At just 15, he won Guinea’s Best Singer award before joining the legendary Bembeya Jazz National, setting the stage for a remarkable musical journey. From his successful solo career to his collaborations with the international group Africando, Bambino has taken the distinctive sound of Guinean Mandingue music to audiences around the world, blending traditional melodies with contemporary arrangements, and Latin influences. Beyond the stage, he has also used his influence for social good, serving as UNICEF Guinea’s National Ambassador for children. But how did a young singer from Guinea become one of the most celebrated interpreters of contemporary Mandingue music? 🎙️ Join us as we explore the story, heritage, and remarkable voice of Sékouba Bambino. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #Guinea #SekoubaBambino #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Umoja 🇿🇦 In the 1980s, South Africa was living through the harsh realities of apartheid. Yet, across dance floors and social gatherings, a different kind of energy was taking hold: infectious rhythms, irresistible basslines, and music that brought people together. One of the names behind that sound was Umoja, the Afro-funk and bubblegum pop group founded by celebrated musician Alec “Om” Khaoli in 1982. Having made his mark with the Beaters, later known as Harari, Khaoli brought his musical experience and creative vision to Umoja, developing a sound driven by synthesizers, funk-inspired grooves and memorable melodies. With releases such as 707, Rainbow and Party, Umoja became part of the soundtrack of an era, giving audiences music to dance to, celebrate with, and momentarily escape the pressures of everyday life. And there’s something fitting about the band’s name: Umoja is a Swahili word meaning unity. But who was Alec Khaoli, how did his musical journey shape Umoja, and what made the band’s sound such an important part of South Africa’s 1980s music scene? 🎙️ Let’s revisit the music, the man, and the era that made Umoja a name to remember. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #SouthAfrivq #Umoja #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | THE SHARED PLAYLIST HOUR Send your favourite song that helps express how you feel right now💃🏾😉🥳🎶✨We want to hear from you👇🏾 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricaClassics #RequestHour #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | 03h00 - 06h00 CAT A blessed and beautiful morning to you and yours🎙️Tune in to SAfm’s Music of Africa with Shéila Ndikumana🎶🌍 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricaHistory #AfricanMusic #DRC

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | Thank you for tuning in to Music of Africa on SAfm this morning.💃🏾🎶🎙️ From discovering Zambia’s electrifying Zamrock sound to exploring WITCH’s Living in the Past and its appearance in the Emmy-winning series Watchmen, we took another journey through the stories behind African music. The Music of Africa is grateful you chose to spend your morning with us. Until next time, keep discovering Africa, one song at a time. 🌍🎶 📱: 061 410 4107 (WhatsApp) 📱: 41391 (SMS) 📻: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #Radio #Zambia #Prebreakfast

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Pierre Akendengue 🇬🇦 Pierre-Claver Akendengué was born on 25 April 1943 in Awuta, Gabon, in the Nkomi cultural region near the Fernan Vaz lagoon. He grew up surrounded by the musical and oral traditions of his community, where songs, storytelling, and ancestral knowledge played an important role in preserving cultural identity. His earliest musical influences came from family members who played traditional instruments alongside the Western musical traditions he encountered during his education. At Collège Bessieux in Libreville, he studied musical notation and became familiar with Gregorian chant, whose melodic character resonated with the traditional music of his homeland. For decades, Akendengué has used music to explore African identity, colonial history, social inequality, and the relationship between tradition and modernity. His work reaches beyond entertainment, offering listeners a thoughtful reflection on the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of African people. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #Gabon #PierreAkendengue #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Meiway 🇨🇮 Born Frédéric Désiré Ehui on 17 March 1962, Meiway is closely associated with Grand-Bassam, a historic coastal town in Côte d’Ivoire, although his official biography lists Abidjan as his birthplace. He grew up surrounded by musical influences, including church singing, local brass bands, and traditional rhythms from southern Côte d’Ivoire. His passion for music developed early. He sang in church and participated in musical groups while at school. In 1978, he won the Podium competition with the group PACE, an important early milestone that encouraged him to pursue music more seriously. Meiway’s music celebrates African identity, cultural pride, and the power of dance. Over a career spanning several decades, he helped bring Ivorian musical traditions to audiences across Africa and beyond, establishing himself as one of the leading figures in the country's popular music scene. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #IvoryCoast #Meiway #sabcnews

🔴 ON AIR NOW | MUSIC OF AFRICA | ARTIST APPRECIATION Devera Ngwena Jazz Band 🇿🇼 The band's story began in the late 1970s at Gaths Mine in Mashava, near Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Its rise was closely associated with Jonah Moyo, the singer, songwriter, and bandleader who helped turn a group formed to entertain mineworkers and their families into one of the country's best-known musical acts. The band grew out of an initiative to provide entertainment for the mining community, with musicians rehearsing and performing at local gatherings before making their breakthrough as recording artists. In 1979, the group recorded “Devera Ngwena Zhimozhi,” a song that helped establish its name across Zimbabwe. The band's name is commonly understood as meaning “follow the crocodile” in Shona. Its early success demonstrated that music developed in a working-class mining community could reach audiences far beyond its original home. Although the word jazz appears in their name, Devera Ngwena Jazz Band is closely associated with Zimbabwean sungura, a popular guitar-based genre influenced by Congolese rumba and other Central and Southern African musical traditions. Their music reflects the creativity of Zimbabwean musicians who adapted international influences into a sound that spoke directly to local audiences. 📱: 061 410 4107 📱: 41391 🎙️: @ms_ndikumana #SAfmMusicOfAfrica #AfricanClassics #Zim #DeveraNgwena