kwela
Kwela is a genre of South African music and dance that emerged in the townships of Johannesburg in the 1940s. It is characterized by its upbeat tempo, jazzy melodies, and a distinctive pennywhistle or flute lead. The music is often played by small bands, typically featuring a pennywhistle, guitar, bass, and drums.
The name "kwela" is derived from the Zulu word for "climb up." This refers to both the
Key figures in the kwela scene include Spokes Mashiyane, Lemmy Mabaso, and Ronnie Zita, who were instrumental
While its peak popularity waned in the late 1960s with the rise of other genres like mbaqanga,