Voëlvry by Pat Hopkins (DVD INCLUDED)

The Movement That Rocked South Africa

239 pages, Paperback

FIRST EDITION: 2006

Goodreads rating: 4.24 * ratings * 4 reviews

Genres: Music/History

In what the Cape Times described as 'an unprecedented orgy of Afrikaner anarchy', the Alternative Afrikaans Music Movement unleashed Boere Beatlemania among the youth and apoplexy within the Afrikaner establishment. At a time when South Africa was embroiled in the Border wars, PW Botha was Die Groot Krokodil and Potchefstroom University was debating whether dancing was a sin, an eccentric mix of young Afrikaans artists took to the road and became the voice of their generation. Their goal was the emancipation of Afrikaner youth from the strictures of their authoritarian, patriarchal culture, and they would make it cool to be an Afrikaner. Organised by Vrye Weekblad and Shifty Records, the Voelvry tour featured, among others, Andre Letoit (Koos Kombuis), Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band, and Bernoldus Niemand (James Phillips) en die Swart Gevaar. This title, based on interviews with participants and observers, reconstructs those heady days. It is a rollicking read that will appeal to those who were there, those who say they were there and those who wish they were there. Illustrated with photographs of the event.