While the
Nederlands Liederen (Dutch songs) of the VOC era have largely been lost to the public imagination within the Netherlands, they survive today in Cape Town South Africa as a vital, living archive. Passed down through centuries of oral tradition within the Cape Malay and creole communities, these songs serve as powerful historical vessels of memory, continuity, and resistance for the descendants of enslaved populations.
This July, in the spirit of Keti Koti, a quintet of elite vocalists and young cultural carriers from Cape Town will present a repertoire of these preserved melodies. This performance offers a profound exploration of how marginalized communities have navigated, reclaimed, and transformed colonial linguistic and musical forms. Far from mere historical artifacts, these songs are deeply intertwined with the region’s complex histories of colonial labour, forced migration, and ongoing processes of emancipation.
Zuid-Afrikahuis is honoured to host
The Frequency of Freedom on 10 July with a live concert by the participating artists. We warmly invite you to join us for this unique evening!
Crew
Curator/Producer:
Wisaal Abrahams (IISG Global Slavery Fellow, MA Candidate Visual Arts Stellenbosch University)
Rafeeq Domingo: Nederlands Singer & Coach
Wazier Salie: Drummer
Ameen “Bruno” Hernandez: Musical Director/Soloist
Abdu-Daiyaan Floris: Bass/Soloist
Taurik “Tolla” Blignaut: Kaapse Klopse Coach
