Jika was composed and recorded during the period here known as “the bad years “ ie. when the system of racial oppression called apartheid was at its height under P.W . Botha ‘s “ Imperial Presidency “. There is a strong protest content in the lyrics , but due to harsh censorship laws in force at the time this messaage had to be conveyed in a covert and subtle way in order to release the album without any problems. Xhosa idioms were used to express our strong feelings of disatisfaction with what was happening at the time.
Jika was recorded in London as well as Cape Town in 1986. The trip enabled us to work with talented exiles like Bheki Mseleku, Russell Herman , Claude Deppa . Johnny Dyani and Lucky Ranku who were all living in London at that time.
This album is now widely regarded as a South African music classic. It has been released several times overseas and is still very active on the local market.
WHAT THE LYRICS MEAN
Jika * turn around, change
Wajikelez’umzi weny’indoda thyini awako uwushita nabanibo * You are always darkening your neighbour’s doorstep when it should be your own that you should be checking out.. This is the literal translation : actually we were telling the Oppressors either to stop making life intolerable for the people here or to pack their bags and go back to their countries of origin.
Baleka wenfama{ Wendoda} * Go back Oppressor!
Crossroads, Crossroads * A ghetto stuated about 15 kilometers from Cape Town.
Yho-Yho* An exclamation- we were expressing shock and horror at what was happening at the time.
Tula Sana* Hush beloved – everything will be allright. We wanted to console young people and families who had been hurt in the apartheid era.
Asiyapo* We are NOT going there. This referred to the notorious practise of forced removals. More specifically , in the mid 80’s , the Oppressors wanted to remove the people from Gugulethu { a large, established township near Cape Town where Winston lived} to Khayalitsha far away. The people refused and stayed put.
Utikuthenina* What’s the matter then?
Senzagabomi* We are doing it on purpose {ie. Staying put }
Ntyilo Ntyilo * An onomatopaeic expression conveying the sound of birdsong
PRESS EXTRACTS
* CAPE ARGUS “Like chili sauce on an ice cube “.
*CAPE TIMES 24/3/87 “ It shows the growth of musicians who have not stagnated and have taken note of the musical and political developments in the townships and have not prostituted their musical identities. It is also a successful marriage of the compositional minds of Mankunku and pianist and friend Mike Perry.” Karen Rutter
*CANBERRA TIMES 29/6/88 “What I like about Jika is it does not preach or make too much of the African connection. Instead it strolls along, sweetly paced and toned.” Michael Foster
* SUNDAY TIMES 26/4/87 “ For Beauty , imagination and sheer musicianship this record has it all “ Rene du Preez.
*SOUTH”8/4/87 “Mankunku jumps from kwela style mbaqanga to cool jazz with an ease that defies all musical stereotypes and Mike Perry is with him all the way. The two weave together with the assurance of old friends mutually supporting each other through thick and thin.” Karen Rutter
*AVAN-GUARD RECORDS , SYDNEY “ In all it is a beautiful record which grows on you the more you play it.” Peter Sinclair.
WINSTO MANKUNKU AND MIKE PERRY
Winston and Mike met in 1976 having been introduced by mutual friend and musical compatriot Johnny Gertze. After gigging extensively in the early 80’s the duo decided to form a partnership in 1985 and embark on a recording project independently.This project developed into the album “Jika” which was recorded in London and Cape Town under Winston and Mike’s own label “Nkomo Records “.
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