Between 2001 and 2003, in Midrand, a town situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, while some of us were obsessed with the American Hip Hop culture, there was a unique and powerful voice that kept reminding us to also embrace our own.
Quite often, I would give my Botswana Government bought expensive CD changer a break and switch to the local Radio Stations. My favourite was YFM. If I remember well, they even had a show titled Harambee, and to open the show, they always played one song called Harambee.
I remember that the soundtrack to my introduction to South African Hip Hop was the track Harambee. Skilfully sang by one Hip Hop Pantsula, shortened to HHP.
Of course, I would later learn that the concept of Harambee, which is in Swahili, means “all pull together”, and it can be found on the Kenya coat of arms.
Indeed, together with concepts such as Sankofa, Botho/Ubuntu, Harambee is one of my philosophical foundations that I hope will guide me as I navigate my way through this life.
Thank you HHP. Ke wena Bosso!!
#Harambee
#RIPHHP
#Bosso
Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 