Award-winning poet Bulelwa Basse’s reflects on the transformative power of art and music in celebrating South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy, highlighting the enduring spirit of unity and remembrance.. Seen here: Bulelwa Basse (left) and Mark Fransman right), Picture supplied.
Image: supplied
By Bulelwa Basse
Remember that place that made you feel like you could become anyone and anything you wanted to be under the sun?
Remember how that voice within called you to rise to your deepest dreams... and fall in love with even the most broken parts of yourself – because, finally, you now realise how much stronger you've become as a result of allowing yourself to be more vulnerable?
I remember that place very well in my memory: It is the Word that holds me when there's no-one to call to - and the Art that invites me to come out and play under the rainbow of fellow Creatives.
Such is mine and Mark Fransman’s.
We met ten years ago, whilst working on the Mandela Song Lives On jazz and poetry concert(s) at Drosdy Teatre and Oude Libertas Amphitheatre: We were young... and eager to do all things extraordinary with our respective creative gifts in the most collaborative way possible.
There we were, on stage: The Sonic Citizen - Mark Fransman - (saxophone/piano), David Klassen (drums), Concord Nkabinde (bass guitar), Nomfundo Xaluva (vocals) and yours truly (spoken word).
Fast-forward to 26 April 2026: I decide to spend my Sunday evening at the Cape Town Jazz Club, to enjoy the musical genius of the Homage Quartet - with Blake Hellaby (piano), Sean Sanby (bass), Kurt Bowers (drums) and Mark Fransman (saxophone & piano).
What a way to usher in Freedom Day: a prelude to a lifetime kiss... with music that lends itself to a revolution(ary) symphony that underscores unity and remembrance of those who came before us to pave the way toward liberation.
And so, we call upon memory: to recall South Africa's first democratic, non-racial elections in 1994, with the hope to mark the end of colonialism, segregation and apartheid.
The transition to a constitutional democracy is embedded in culture, a doorway to our stories, that show us the heart of humanity.
And with these words: I seek to offer emotional vocabulary, a poetic phrasing that has the heart yearning to write letters home... to our ancestors.
Out of the candlelight: we whisper "Take me somewhere... where I can become freedom's child, again”.
Clutching our pride, with all our worth: We walk tall - together... pray for a better tomorrow.
Like a palette of sound - we ground ourselves in music, painting - even an ounce of a rainbow nation.
Bulelwa Basse is an award-winning Poet, Cultural Thought-leader and Altruist
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