Harari (Musical group)
Harari, formerly known as The Beaters, was formed in the late 1960s. The band was initially composed of former schoolmates Selby Ntuli on guitar, Arthur Rafapha on vocals, Alec Om Khaoli on bass, Monty Saitana Ndimande on lead guitar, and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse on drums[1]. The group lasted 14 years from 1967 to 1981, making it one of the longest-running and most popular bands around.[2]
History of the band
It was in Soweto, while attending Orlando West High School, that the Beaters met. As a result, their growth ties into the historic roots of the township. Bassist Khaoli, guitarist Ntuli, lead guitarist Ndimande and vocalist Rafapha were a band in need of a drummer in 1968. Upon Mabuse introducing himself to Ntuli, he was invited to join the band, thus completing The Beaters.
The Beaters' rise to fame happened by accident. Having been encouraged by their principal, their first gig together was at their high school's fundraiser.
Levi "Golden Boy" Madi, a boxing champion from Orlando, sponsored the band's instruments. The band soon began performing in high schools and universities, and their following grew steadily. The Beaters recorded three albums between 1968 and 1969: Soul-A-Go-Go, Hot Dogs, and Lost Memories. "Soweto soul" is the term their sound became known by. At the time, they performed wearing stylish Nehru suits.[3]
Zimbabwe inspires the band’s name change
It was during their formative years that the band toured southern Africa, including Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The political atmosphere of the country as it approached independence was infectious for them. In spite of their intention to stay for only three weeks, the Beaters spent three months in Harare, which was still known as Salisbury. The Beaters became aware of their African identity and unity and adopted a pan-African spirit in Zimbabwe. They also discovered music from the rest of the continent for the first time, which would change their sound.
They returned home inspired and recorded Harari (which was released in 1975) with the assistance of Rashid Vally from As-Shams, one of the few Black-run record labels of the time known for great jazz albums. The band's earliest stage wear, neat Nehru jackets, was replaced with dashikis and Afro haircuts to embody a more African identity. Their efforts resulted in a sound that is commonly categorized as "Afro-rock" but which is more of a fusion of rock and funk rhythms that tap into African roots.
The name change
During the kick-off of the Harari Music Festival, held at Mamelodi Stadium in 1975, a riot ensued due to rain and an accidental disturbance of electric cables, where the electricity was cut off. It was impossible to hear the band and their performance suffered. Apparently unaware of the power cut, impatient fans threw beer bottles and stones at audience members, breaking their view of the stage. Police were called, and some attendees were shot.
A lasting impact was left on The Beaters by the events because the band was unfairly blamed for all the chaos. This would also result in their name changing to Harari. “Because of that riot and the big publicity throughout the week saying these are the guys that caused problems, people would look at us and say, ‘Yah, that’s Harari!” And they called us Harari, so that’s how we became Harari,” Khaoli explains.[4]
Harari’s follow-up album
In October 1976, Harari released its second album Rufaro/Happiness, following their name change. The events in the stadium that led to the new name reflected the tension in the 1970s, a time when riots and heavy police presence were common. The events of the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976, during which school children were brutally killed by police, left South Africa shaken. Rufaro, the Shona word for happiness, was an attempt to create happy, joyful music as the title suggests.
Sipho Hotstix Mabuse performing with the band Harari at 702's Concert in the Park in 1985
Sowetan 40 x Netflix
A major national newspaper in South Africa, The Sowetan is regarded by many for its incremental impact on the industry as it marks 40 years in 2021. To commemorate this incredible milestone, The Sowetan and Netflix reminisced about the impact that the Sowetan had on the entertainment industry over the last 40 years.
Using local Netflix talent from Blood & Water, How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, and JIVA! The Sowetan and Netflix recreated iconic photographs taken in the last four decades to highlight the excellence and talent coming out of South Africa.
Netflix and The Sowetan hope that this partnership will inspire young, up-and-coming South Africans to pursue their passions.[5]
One of the band’s iconic photographs was recreated using these local Netflix talents: Prince Grootboom, Dillon Windvogel, Leroy Syafa, Given Stuurman, Lethabo Bereng, Sthandile Nkosi, and was headed by Award winning Creative Director, Asanda Sizani.
The Sowetan 40 x Netflix article which commemorates Harari, was originally published in the TimeOut section of The Sowetan, which was made available for purchase on Friday June 18 2021. The online version of the article can be found here [6]
References
- ↑ "Harari, by The Beaters". Matsuli Music. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ↑ "Rebirth of a township child". The Mail & Guardian. 1996-10-11. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ↑ Khan, Atiyyah (2021-04-06). "NEW FRAME: New life for seminal sounds of The Beaters and Harari". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ↑ Khan, By: Atiyyah; Culture (2021-03-18). "New life for seminal sounds of The Beaters and Harari". New Frame. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ↑ "About Netflix - The Sowetan, Together with Netflix, Celebrate The Entertainment Industry Icons of the Last 40 Years". About Netflix. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ↑ "#Sowetan40xNetflix | Year 1976 ushered in another revolt on air, stage and screen". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
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