December 9th, 2008
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Interview with Mrs. Gloria Piliso
Click here to download the transcript of this interview.
General Topic of Interview: Liberation Music
Date of Interview: 16 August, 2008
Location: Braai at the Jooste family residence, King Williams Town, South Africa
Narrator: Mrs. Gloria Piliso
Interviewer: Atandi Anyona
Translators: Thobeka Mheshe, Atandi Anyona
Transcriber: Ryan Koons
Biographical Information:
Mrs. Gloria Piliso, Atandi Anyona‘s host mother in South Africa, was interviewed at a gathering of the host families and friends at the braai held at the Jooste family residence. While still in high school, Mrs. Piliso was active with student groups that protested apartheid policies such as lessons in schools being taught in Afrikaans as part of the Bantu Education System. She looked up to Steve Biko while a young activist, perceiving the roles that she and her comrades played as an extension of his efforts.
Interview Information:
The interview focuses on freedom songs and their importance during the anti-apartheid struggle. Mrs. Piliso describes what they meant, when and why they were sung, how they originated, and what they helped to achieve. She also performs some songs and recounts stories of singing them during the struggle.