The Power of Music
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918-2013.
My life journey to Melbourne from Johannesburg resolved at 9pm on the 15th of December 2013. The band stopped to allow a minute of silence as our Madiba was buried, illuminated on the large screen at Federation Square. Arranging the music for this memorial event was a proud moment as a mass of local South African talent revealed itself to honour the man. There is food, music and dancing at an African funeral, we counted in ‘Bring back Nelson Mandela, bring him back home to Soweto …’
Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to our family.
I was lucky to be made aware of Mandela at an early age. My father, Howard Belling, was a lawyer involved in civil rights at the time and he told us stories of this leader and statesman. Our closest family friend, Nat Levy was the attorney for Mandela after his arrest. As a teenager, I was entirely inspired by the man after reading his book, ’No Easy Walk To Freedom’. Copies were scarce, published soon after his incarceration, well before the famous autobiography. His words in the transcript of the Rivonia Trial were profound and affecting and they consolidated my personal politics. These attitudes contributed to my relocation to Australia soon afterwards.
The period following Mandela’s release was an exciting time in South Africa.
An amnesty was granted that allowed me to return home in time to participate in the referendum that ended apartheid. The country was changing and its music was changing in step. I had auditioned for PJ Power’s band a few days before the assassination of Chris Hani, leader of the ANC’s armed forces. I received news that I had got the gig and to be ready in a few hours to travel to Soweto for the funeral and an audience of 100,000 people. We performed at the open casket military ceremony between the powerful speeches that decided the course of the country’s struggle for freedom.
It was an honour to be part of this watershed event.
The band went on to tour with Nelson Mandela and his future cabinet members around the country and abroad and was commissioned to create the ANC election song in the lead up to the first multi-racial election in 1994. These experiences have certainly inspired me and shaped my career. Mandela was the epitome of grace and vision, attributes now universally associated with him and his legacy. Change came flowing through him inspiring us and future generations.
I remain passionate about African music.
Now based in Melbourne, I compose for, perform and co-direct the 17-piece afrobeat group The Public Opinion African Orchestra. Together with my father and sister, Fem Belling, I run the South African Jazz group The Royal Swazi Spa. I perform regularly with The Afrobiotics, a Senagalese funk outfit, and have been the bassist for Musiki Manjaro for the last 17 years. My personal career highlights include performing in Gregory Porter’s band for his 2012 Australian tour, having Hugh Masekela join The Royal Swazi Spa in concert and touring with Johnny Clegg and Juluka in 2000.
I still perform and tour regularly having just returned from launching a jazz album in Johannesburg and Cape Town and recording with some African musician legends while we were in town. A few years back I travelled to Lagos to record with Nigerian musicians and to meet with afrobeat royalty, Femi Kuti and his family. The result was the ARIA nominated album ‘Do Anything Go Anywhere’ by The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Music has been a constant in my life helping with the transition to a new country and culture.
It allows a unique perspective on these differences. In African culture music is a day-to-day essential ingredient to life. Here it usually serves as entertainment or spectacle, however I have felt a recent shift, a renewed interest or longing for the rhythms of Africa. I am encouraged as local African musicians begin to succeed in the mainstream beyond the usual contribution to global or ‘world music’.
I manage to maintain a busy career in Architecture.
As well as pursuing my musical ambitions I am a partner in a design-based practice called ITN Architects.
For more information on my architectural work:
federationstory.com/giving-back-with-architecture/
I have also just published a cookbook called ‘Night Food: West African Eats and Beats’ to accompany new music from The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Links:
www.sonicbids.com/theroyalswazispa
