The apartheid kids turned poverty into rhythm — now their revolution is back.
A musical trip through southern Africa to the tunes of the post-apartheid generation. Kwaito music originated in the 1950's in the dusty streets of South Africa's townships such as Sophiatown, Pimville and subsequently in Soweto. It is inseparable from the Pantsuela culture of the rebellious youth gangs during the Apartheid regime. Since there was no money for musical instruments or for extravagant costumes, they concentrated on their dancing and singing skills and, turning the streets into their stage. Currently almost fifty years later - Kwaito culture is experiencing a renaissance in a manner completely inconceivable in those days.
Direction
Holzhauser and Sell chase kwaito's heartbeat across borders without losing its soul.
Production
Streets-as-stage filmmaking that honors the DIY roots of its subjects.
Director
Tom Holzhauser
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kwaito borrows its name from the Afrikaans 'kwaai' — meaning 'angry' or 'vicious' — but flipped into township slang meaning 'cool' or 'hot.'
The 2011 release captures kwaito at a fascinating inflection point: just before Amapiano would eclipse it, making this documentary a time capsule of a sound fighting for relevance.
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