Heritage Through Music: Local Choirs, Bands, and DanceGroups Keeping Traditions Alive

Music remains the heartbeat of South African culture, carrying stories from generation to generation through

song, rhythm, and dance. During Heritage Month, local choirs, bands, and dance groups celebrate both ancient traditions and evolving musical forms that define modern South African identity.

Traditional sounds with modern relevance

South African choirs continue to gain international recognition for their unique sound and cultural expression. Groups like the Ndlovu Youth Choir demonstrate how young South Africans are taking traditional music and making it relevant for modern audiences. Their repertoire is an exciting mix of traditional

South African genres with pop, rock, jazz and EDM, showing how heritage can evolve whilst maintaining its core identity.

The tradition of isicathamiya, made famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, continues to thrive. Isicathamiya competitions in Johannesburg and Durban still take place on Saturday nights, with up to 30 choirs performing from 8 o’clock at night to 8 o’clock the following morning. Although the style emerged in the 20th century, specifically in the 1920s and 1930s, many academics trace it back to the end of the 19th century.

Amapiano: the new traditional sound

Amapiano has emerged as South Africa’s newest traditional music form, representing how contemporary culture becomes heritage. Amapiano music and dance have played a significant role in expressing the culture and bringing people together. This subgenre of house music emerged in the mid-2010s and has since become a sensation worldwide.

The evolution and unprecedented popularity of Amapiano reflect the massive globalisation of African music and underscore its ability to represent South Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Beyond being a musical genre, Amapiano embodies a cultural phenomenon that redefines mainstream music, paving the way for international collaboration and cultural exchange.

The name translates as “piano” in Zulu, reflecting the genre’s distinctive keyboard sounds combined with deep house beats and jazz influences. Like traditional South African music forms before it, amapiano tells stories of community life, celebrates resilience, and brings people together through dance and shared cultural expression. Young people across South Africa are taking leadership in cultural preservation through both traditional and contemporary music forms.

Youth choirs in townships learn traditional songs in indigenous languages from elderly community members, whilst also creating new compositions that reflect modern experiences. Schools increasingly include traditional music and dance in curricula, recognising that these art forms teach history, values, and cultural identity. Students learn about heritage

through songs that tell ancestral stories and celebrate important life events, whilst also exploring how genres like amapiano represent contemporary South African creativity. Traditional dance groups preserve cultural heritage through movement and storytelling.

Different regions maintain distinct traditions, from Zulu war dances to Xhosa ceremonies, from Afrikaans folk dances to Indian classical forms reflecting the country’s diversity. These groups perform at cultural festivals and heritage events, educating audiences about the history and meaning behind different cultural practices. They also visit schools and

community centres, teaching traditional dances alongside contemporary forms like amapiano dance moves that have become part of South African cultural expression.

Heritage music and dance groups create connections between past and present, different communities, and older and younger generations. When groups perform music from various South African cultures - from ancient isicathamiya to contemporary amapiano, they help build understanding and appreciation across cultural lines. Technology helps heritage groups reach wider audiences. Many choirs and dance groups share performances on social media, making traditional and contemporary music accessible to South Africans abroad and inspiring cultural pride among younger generations.

Despite their importance, many heritage music and dance groups face funding limitations and competition from commercial

entertainment. However, Heritage Month provides opportunities to showcase their work and attract support. Government initiatives and cultural organisations increasingly recognise the importance of supporting these groups. Funding programmes and cultural festivals help ensure that both traditional forms like isicathamiya and emerging traditions like

amapiano continue to thrive and represent South African heritage on global stages.