
Afrikaans music originated in the early 1900s, after the Tweede Taalbeweging the Second Language Movement in 1905. Poets were able to express themselves in Afrikaans and the poems were set to music. J.H.G. Bosman did pioneer work with the music he composed for Eugene Marais’ ‘'Winternag" in 1908. The first advertisements for Afrikaans popular music records started to appear in 1910, a few months after the creation of the Union of South Africa which was a merger between the Natal and Cape Colonies with the defeated Boer republics. Classical and art music in South Africa reached its zenith of popularity in the mid-20th century and was primarily composed by a triumvirate of Afrikaner composers known as the "fathers of South African art music"2. These composers were Arnold van Wyk, Hubert du Plessis, and Stefans Grové. Afrikaans music was primarily influenced by Dutch folk styles, along with French and German influences, in the early twentieth century. Zydeco-type string bands led by a concertina were popular, as were elements of American country music. The most prolific composers of "tiekie draai" Afrikaans music were lyricist Anton De Waal who wrote many hit songs with songwriters, pianist Charles Segal (Hey Babariebab Se Ding Is Vim, Kalkoenjie, Sy Kom Van Kommetjie" and many others) and accordionist, Nico Carstens. Bushveld music based on the Zulu were reinterpreted by such singers as Marais and Miranda. Melodramatic and sentimental songs called trane trekkers (tearjerkers) were especially common. In 1973, a country music song won the coveted SARI Award (South African Music Industry) for the Song of the Year – "My Children, My Wife" was written by renowned South African composer Charles Segal and lyricist Arthur Roos. In 1979 the South African Music scene changed from the Trane Trekkers to more lively sounds and the introduction of new names in the market with the likes of Anton Goosen, David Kramer (singer), Koos du Plessis, Fanie de Jager, Flaming Victory and Laurika Rauch. Afrikaans music is currently one of the most popular and bestselling industries on the South African music scene. Anyone interested in the Afrikaans language might find this interesting: https://library.cornerstone.ac.za/wp-...