Kwela music originated in the townships of South Africa during the mid-20th century, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It emerged as a creative imitation by the locals of their favorite jazzmen with a vibrant and accessible musical style primarily associated with urban street culture.

Originating from the Zulu and Xhosa languages, the word kwela means to climb, mount, lift, or get on board.

Kwela music was predominantly played by local buskers and at local shebeens, where people would gather to drink, dance, and mingle. The people were frequently subjected to police harassment and threatened with arrest for public disturbance under apartheid laws. So, the music purportedly earned its name from the neighborhood police cars, which were informally called kwela-kwela.

In the 1950s, this genre became highly well-known globally because numerous performers modified the music to fit Western tastes. Spokes Mashiyane, Kippie Moeketsi, “Big Voice” Jack Lerole, Lemmy “Special” Mabaso, and bands like the Manhattan Brothers and Skylarks were among some of the local musicians of Kwela.

Birthed amidst apartheid, poverty, and adversity, Kwela comes with a resolutely joyful tune. It is an upbeat urban dance music with roots from the Marabi sound and North American swing music from the 50s.

This music style is a fusion of light, youthful sounds of penny whistling and African flair. It brought the distinctive African jazz sound to prominence.

Kwela features a repeated chord sequence with a melodic line played over it by several penny whistles, the primary instrument and one of the defining features of this genre. Its other musical features are the repetitive harmony in the rhythm, the infectious skiffle-like rhythm, the upbeat tempo, and the melodies of the pennywhistle.

Other instruments in this genre are the Saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, drum kits, and sets.

The use of the pennywhistle shows the cultural fusion and creativity of the South African people amidst social and political challenges. It was an affordable, easy-to-use, and easy-to-transport instrument serving as a substitute for the Saxophone while they imitated Marabi.

Also, traditional flutes have long been indigenous to Africans, so it was easy for artists to adapt while incorporating folk tunes with the Marabi-influenced genre.

It also allowed the creation of catchy tunes while still improvising and innovating within this style of music.

Overall, the penny whistle's affordability, portability, distinct sound, and adaptability contributed significantly to its widespread use and prominence in Kwela music. Its pivotal role in shaping the Kwela's unique musical identity with its infectious rhythms, catchy melodies, and joyful rhythm continues to be celebrated, making it an integral part of South Africa's rich musical heritage.

Kwela music originated in the townships of South Africa during the mid-20th century, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Kwela: The Penny Whistle Fusion of South Africa Township Music

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