Journeys, Paths and Healing in Simphiwe Dana's Music

ABSTRACT This article explores the role of popular culture, especially music, in human rights struggles and global rights discourses. We highlight selected songs from Simphiwe Dana's albums, The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street (2006) and Kulture Noire (2010). The article centres on Dana's socially conscious music, which is replete with figurative use of streets, ways and journeys. According to African cosmologies, the journey motif is central to African narratives. In general, these narratives begin with a stability which is subsequently disturbed by imminent changes that obstruct the protagonists’ life plans, forcing them to leave their homes for exile. It is in exile that the protagonists receive counselling and training that prepares them for a return home. The protagonists’ journeys are therefore, healing journeys. Dana's music, which is influenced by the African cosmologies of Ayi Kwei Armah, Steve Biko and Frantz Fanon, follows a similarly circular pattern. The article discusses how Dana uses street symbolism in order to imagine healing as a journey to self and collective re-discovery after the material, cultural and spiritual dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid.