Reggae runs deep in South Africa

During the 1970s, songs by Peter Tosh and Burning Spear were gospel to the anti-apartheid movement. James Mange, a reggae artist and former resistance leader, was the first Rastafarian prisoner on Robben Island alongside such anti-apartheid activists as Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela. He says they were huge reggae fans.

Mange became known as the Bob Marley of Robben Island, where reggae was a mainstay even when warders censored political songs.

"It was not anything for entertainment. It was almost like your prayer time, if you like," Mange says. "It was a time when we started remembering why we were where we were and what lay ahead. And it was the kind of food we needed to sustain us during the hard times."

"James Mange told one warder that although he was going to be hanged, he’d continue to live in the hearts and memories of the oppressed people of SA. He was transferred to Robben Island, where he began growing dreadlocks, reportedly becoming the first prisoner in SA to refuse to cut his hair"

Press Release

02 September 2013

For Immediate Release

 Johannesburg ...Former Robben Island political prisoner James Mange is launching the Reggae Moonshine Africa Festival - a dream from behind bars in Robben Island.

 Artists:
James ‘Jungleman’ Mange
Nkulee Dube
Tidal Waves Band

MC:
Adv. Sipho Mantula
Mesh Mapetla

Where: Bassline, Newtown
When: 12th October 2013
Time: 20:00
Entrance fee: R120 at the door

This is the official launch of the Reggae Conference and Festival taking place in Johannesburg late 2014.

The programme and the build-up to the 2014 Festival which includes other acts from Africa, Jamaica,
Reunion Island, US, and UK will be unveiled mid-year 2014.

“We are launching this festival to revive the true meaning of Reggae music.” This is a call for the revival of reggae music as an art form; a genre that transcends all ages, genders, races and classes - the umbilical cord that binds man as one. Reggae music played a pivotal role as an expression of
resistance, fortitude and liberation against apartheid; it freed people's minds and spurred the might of
a collective consciousness openly across all races in our country.

About James Mange

James Mange went into exile in 1976 to join ANC and became commander of Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was sentenced to death for high treason after being arrested in 1978. He spent 12 months on death row. The sentence was later commuted to 20 years imprisonment on Robben Island of which he served 13 years before being released on the 27th April 1991. During his imprisonment he formed a band and taught music to the inmates on Robben Island. The band played on special occasions like New Year celebration for the political prisoners. In exile James was prominent as one of the founder members of the Nova Katenga Cultural Committee. In 1991 after being released from Robben Island James and his band the Whiplashes Played festivals like Big Bash, ANC rallies, in France and
Children of Africa in Nigeria.

Media is invited to the launch.

For interviews and more information, kindly send us an email.

Reggae Moonshine Africa Festival
info@reggaemoonshine.co.za
www.reggaemoonshine.co.za

Moments with Nelson Mandela

REGGAE MOONSHINE PRE-LAUNCH

When I was sentenced to death in 1979 by Judge Hefer in the Maritzburg 12 Treason Trial; Reggae music kept strong.

Spending 12 months on Death Row very close to the 52 steps where some of my comrades took their last walk to the hang-man's noose; Reggae music kept me alive.

Thus I wrote the song 52 steps to the other side, some brave young men walked that mile. Vuyisile Mnini and Tele Mogoerane, Solomon Mahlangu, just to name a few.

Come to Reggae Moonshine and get the whole history of our own heroes.

Venue: Bassline, 12th October 2013

A NIGHT OF POLITICAL HISTORY WITH JAMES MANGE

Featuring Nkulee Dube and Tidal Waves Band
MC: Adv Ras Sipho Mantula and Mesh Mapetla

Reggae Moonshine Africa Festival 2014