The 100 Greatest South African Songs | TimesLive

TimesLive, “The 100 Greatest South African Songs,” 15 July 2014.

The full 100

Here they are, in chronological order, chosen by a 20-strong panel of Lifestyle writers using three criteria: 1) musical brilliance; 2) popular success; 3) impact on the national mind. Some tracks aced one category and flunked the other two, but plenty ticked all three boxes.

1. Phalafala – Dolly Rathebe and the Elite Swingsters (1964)
2. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba (written in 1957 with Dorothy Masuka, but a global hit in 1967) see comments
3. Master Jack – Four Jacks And A Jill (1968)
4. Yakhal’ Inkomo – Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi (1968)
5. For Your Precious Love – The Flames (1968)
6. The Seagull’s Name Was Nelson – Des and Dawn Lindberg (1971)
7. Nomathemba – Letta Mbulu (1973)
8. Mama Tembu’s Wedding – Margaret Singana (1973)
9. Stimela – Hugh Masekela (1974)
10. Mannenberg – Abdullah Ibrahim (1974)
11. Charlie – Rabbitt (1975)
12. Blues For a Hip King – Abdullah Ibrahim (1975)
13. Marabi – Malombo (1976)
14. Chocolate Toffee – Saitana (1976)
15. Substitute – Clout (1978)
16. Universal Men – Juluka (1979)
17. ZX Dan – The Radio Rats (1979)
18. Jo Bangles – Baxtop (1979)
19. Paradise Road – Joy (1980)
20. Party – Harari (1981)
21. Man on the Moon – Ballyhoo (1981)
22. Impi – Juluka (1981)
23. The Bushman – Steve Kekana (1982)
24. Isiphiwo – Soul Brothers (1982)
25. Hey Boy – Via Afrika (1983)
26. Shadows – éVoid (1983)
27. Weekend Special – Brenda Fassie (1983)
28. Shot Down – The Cherry Faced Lurchers (1983)
29. See Yourself (Clowns) – Ella Mental (1984)
30. Burnout – Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse (1984)
31. Is it an Ism or is it Art? – Niki Daly (1984)
32. Jabulani – Hotline featuring PJ Powers (1984)
33. I’m in Love with a DJ – Yvonne Chaka Chaka (1985)
34. Stimela sazeZola – Mbongeni Ngema (1985)
35. Reggae Vibes is Cool – Bernoldus Niemand (1985)
36. This Boy – Sweatband (1986)
37. National Madness – The Aeroplanes (1986)
38. Change is Pain – Mzwakhe Mbuli (1986)
39. Homeless – Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1986)
40. Johnny Calls the Chemist – Falling Mirror (1986)
41. Now or Never – Sankomota (1987)
42. Ten Ten Special – African Jazz Pioneers (1987)
43. Scatterlings of Africa – Johnny Clegg and Savuka (1987)
44. Weeping – Bright Blue (1987)
45. Hillbrow – Johannes Kerkorrel (1988)
46. Quick Quick – Marcalex (1989)
47. Slave – Lucky Dube (1990)
48. Shake – Tananas (1990)
49. Special Star – Mango Groove (1990)
50. Tomorrow Nation – O’Yaba (1991)
51. I’m in Love with a Rastaman – Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (1991)
52. Sarafina! – Hugh Masekela (1992)
53. It’s About Time – Boom Shaka (1993)
54. The Crossing – Johnny Clegg (1993)
55. Mmalo-We – Bayete (1994)
56. Never Again – Prophets of Da City (1994)
57. When You Come Back – Vusi Mahlasela (1994)
58. Waar Was Jy? – Skeem (1994)
59. Sea Level – Urban Creep (1995)
60. The Child Inside – Qkumba Zoo (1995)
61. Kaffir – Arthur Mafokate (1995)
62. African Dream – Vicky Sampson (1996)
63. Kiss the Machine – Battery 9 (1996)
64. Magasman – Trompies (1997)
65. Stand in Your Way – Just Jinger (1997)
66. Fords Nissans Toys en Beetles – Brasse vannie Kaap (1997)
67. Shibobo – TKZee (1998)
68. Vul’indlela – Brenda Fassie (1998)
69. Yehlisan’ Umoya – Busi Mhlongo (1998)
70. Sondela – Ringo Madlingozi (1999)
71. Thathi Sgubu – Bongo Maffin (1999)
72. Blue Eyes – Springbok Nude Girls (1999)
73. Genes & Spirits – Moses Molelekwa (2000)
74. Born in a Taxi – Blk Sonshine (2000)
75. Nkalakatha – Mandoza (2000)
76. Afrikaners is Plesierig – Karen Zoid (2001)
77. Meisie Meisie – Kurt Darren (2001)
78. Ghetto Fabulous – Zola & Kaybee (2002)
79. Ndihamba Nawe – Mafikizolo (2002)
80. Ayelekile Amasango – Ishmael (2002)
81. Picture Perfect – Perez (2002)
82. Midnight – 340ml (2003)
83. Umoya – Skwatta Kamp (2003)
84. Nomvula (After the Rain) – Freshlyground (2003)
85. Destiny – Malaika (2004)
86. Nizalwa Ngobani – Thandiswa Mazwai (2004)
87. Matofotofo – Pitch Black Afro (2004)
88. Akekh’ uGogo – Mzekezeke (2005)
89. Whistling in Tongues – Felix Laband (2005)
90. De La Rey – Bok van Blerk (2006)
91. Sister Bethina – Mgarimbe (2006)
92. Feel Good – Lira (2007)
93. Bantu Biko Street – Simphiwe Dana (2007)
94. Show Dem (Make the Circle Bigger) – JR featuring Hip-Hop Pantsula (2009) see comments
95. Cooler as Ekke – Jack Parow (2010)
96. Enter the Ninja – Die Antwoord (2010)
97. Fairytale – Liquideep (2010)
98. Tot Die Son Uitkom – Van Coke Cartel (2011)
99. Loliwe – Zahara (2011)
100. Hosanna – The Brother Moves On (2013)

Comments

Dorothy Masuka: The popular 1956 “Ei Yow Phata Phata” by Dorothy Masuka was distinctly different from Makeba’s…

Wikipedia

Show Dem (Make The Circle Bigger): remixed by DJ Dizzy for the 2010 World Cup